Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a breathing disorder and diabetes mellitus type II were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence to support his assertions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 40 percent since September 24, 2002. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's heart disorder was characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion, left heart catherization, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50%. His diabetes mellitus required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board found that the reduction from 60% to 30% for ischemic heart disease was improper due to lack of improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions. For diabetes, the Veteran's condition did not warrant more than a 20% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The case is REMANDED to obtain all relevant records, verify herbicide exposure, and provide appropriate medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2, are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's nerve disorder, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his current condition and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange or any other service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral wrist disability were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records and providing addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, and kidney disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases during service and the onset of these conditions after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and his bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to tactical herbicide agents during his active service is presumed and thus warrants service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated during his service, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as a result of herbicide exposure, has been remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and verify the Veteran's claims regarding jet fuel and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period from March 31, 2008 to November 4, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions based on presumed exposure. The claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and new evidence supports this reopening. However, no new or material evidence was found to reopen the claims of service connection for duodenal ulcer, diabetes mellitus (including as due to in-service herbicide exposure), and hiatal hernia.