Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a pulmonary disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner provided negative nexus opinions regarding any relationship to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's DM was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The right ankle disorder was not found on examination. The left hip disability and headache were also not found.,DM: Service connection denied as the condition was not present during service and cannot be presumed due to its onset more than a year after service. Right Ankle Disorder: No current disability found, no evidence of inservice injury or disease. Left Hip Disability: No current disability found, no evidence of inservice injury or disease. Headache: Service connection denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), residuals of mole removal, skin rash, right knee disability, and hernia disability, status post appendectomy are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or symptoms. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and there is insufficient probative evidence linking either condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic lymphocytic lymphoma are not related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for DMII, and thus denied this claim. The other issues on appeal are also addressed in the decision.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or any period of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is secondary to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Guam, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and residuals of a stroke. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea and thus, could not establish presumptive service connection for prostate cancer or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts result in permanent impairment of vision of both eyes, meeting the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but not for the associated right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent from December 11, 2007, and increased to 60 percent effective February 28, 2017. The Veteran also has nephropathy secondary to his diabetes mellitus, which is rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathies are not separately rated as they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during active military service.

The Veteran is denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 60 percent from October 26, 2010 to October 26, 2011. Since then, the rating has been denied for a higher rating. The Veteran's ischemic optic neuropathy with retinopathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and thus denied all claims for service connection.