Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and thyroid disorder. The Veteran's PTSD claim was also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is reasonably shown to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DISH of the cervical spine is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his active service, including a head injury during active duty. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals were denied, with the exception of GERD with hiatal hernia and pancreatitis issues which are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualify.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to herbicide agent exposure. The Board found no in-service exposure to an herbicide agent and no symptoms of diabetes mellitus in service.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetic nephropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting the need for insulin and a restricted diet. The current evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during service and a VA examination for his skin disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a disorder manifested by leg cramps, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection. The Veteran's diabetes was attributed to his glucose intolerance rather than active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus from June 18, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with prior Board instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The bilateral eye disorder (hyperopia and astigmatism) is also considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was manifested by required insulin and restricted diet prior to February 22, 2011.,Since February 22, 2011, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been manifested by required insulin, a restricted diet, regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring less than two monthly visits to a diabetic care provider and complications such as diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and left eye cataract, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining unit records and deck logs for the USS Mahopac during relevant time periods to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.