Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the disability and active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected SPS and/or cervical spine disability.,There is no currently diagnosed left hand condition, but the Veteran's reports of pain may be related to his service-connected SPS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 15, 2009. The Board denied the claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure and no in-service or post-service diagnosis. The Board also remanded issues regarding initial ratings for upper extremity radiculopathy and a rating for cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal tumor, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral legs and feet as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's esophageal tumor was not related to his in-service exposure, nor were the other conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, low HGB (anemia), and diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and renal disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim was not supported by competent evidence of a current diagnosis or regulatory activities.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to new evidence showing potential exposure during service. However, as there was no actual exposure to herbicides or other presumed conditions in Vietnam, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's left leg disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his disability. The examiner will also assess whether any aggravation of his service-connected diabetes mellitus may be contributing to his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone, along with additional disabilities rated at least 60 percent (chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus), meet the criteria for a TDIU. From May 19, 2010, he also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes, and hypertensive heart disease have been rated based on their individual service-connected conditions. The appeal for a TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic retinopathy are granted due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, presumptively connecting these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. The evidence does not support a finding of actual exposure either. Service connection is denied as there is no direct link between service, including any claimed herbicide exposure, and the current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if any decision is adverse.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or other chemicals. The evidence received since the March 2011 rating decision is cumulative and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, Type II are being remanded due to the need to clarify his area of operation during service in Korea. The Board will determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's service connection claims for upper extremity peripheral neuropathies are granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for depression and insomnia, headaches, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity disorders, a cardiac disorder, generalized arthritis, a bilateral eye disorder, colon cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is not about service connection at all.