Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. Lung cancer is not service connected as it metastasized from a pre-existing condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The current disability ratings of 10 percent for each condition are maintained.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs and arthritis of the right foot (including calcaneal spur), and left foot injury are being remanded due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. The claims will be further evaluated based on the Veteran's service history and any potential exposure to Agent Orange or herbicides.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied his claim for ischemic heart disease. The reopening is based on new evidence submitted since the May 2009 rating decision, but the claims are still denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, loss of vision, erectile dysfunction, and vertigo. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including acute alcoholism, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus I (DM I), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as the medical expert concluded that his hypertension did not contribute to his cause of death. The appellant's assertion regarding exposure to herbicide agents is also not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand, has been reopened. The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been received and remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 14, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus as there is no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been treated with oral hypoglycemic medication and a diabetic diet throughout the pendency of this appeal. The preponderance of evidence is against the assignment of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for pancreatic disability and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are not etiologically related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and heart disorders, as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of hypertension by the service-connected MDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and major depressive disorder (MDD) due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure in Korea. The claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence requested from JSRRC.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted for any condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, including a lack of recent medical records and an additional VA examination.