Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to decide these claims and further evidentiary development is needed before decisions can be reached on the merits. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and prostate cancer, and verifying periods of service.

The Veteran's back disability is granted at 40 percent since January 24, 2008. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction, as well as rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's wife reported symptoms of snoring and apneic episodes during service, which are consistent with his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and right hand tremors have been dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to alleged exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation during his military service. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s reported exposures and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the etiology of his claimed conditions.

Service connection was denied for glaucoma, DM and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's glaucoma is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service discharge. Service connection for DM was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or within the first post-service year. Hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since 1993, and the Board found that symptoms are consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.,DM was not shown in active service or for many years thereafter; nor was it shown to be manifested to a compensable degree during the first post-service year or to be otherwise related to service. Hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since 1993, and the Board found that symptoms are consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, which were presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding no credible evidence of herbicide exposure and noting the lack of a nexus between current diabetes mellitus and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of regulation of activities required to manage the condition.

The Board has determined that a more thorough examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and his claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with this issue. The case is being remanded to allow for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence supports these claims. The Board also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia and/or high cholesterol is denied because it is not a recognized disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, with no evidence showing that the Veteran's condition is related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically while stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk. The AOJ is instructed to contact the Veteran and seek additional information from a fellow sailor who may have witnessed an emergency landing in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the Veteran did not have in-service exposure to herbicide agents and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and bladder cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in his active military service due to herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea. Diabetes mellitus, Type II is also presumed to have resulted from such exposure. Service connection for bladder cancer is granted based on the presumption of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure during his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ear hearing loss were granted. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for DMII is not warranted as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam, thus no presumption of exposure applies.