Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) decision documents.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to May 24, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral vision loss as well as his claim for residuals of a right lower leg amputation. The appeals were all denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's BPH is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and to obtain an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran set foot in the Republic of Vietnam during the critical time period for herbicide exposure, and thus is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides coincident to such service. The Veteran's VA treatment records demonstrate a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, which is one of the diseases recognized for service connection due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's conditions as secondary to his service-connected hemoglobin sickle cell disease, but did not assign a specific effective date due to lack of evidence prior to November 16, 2005.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in such service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, coronary heart disease, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension) have rendered him unemployable.,A total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and CAD, both claimed as the result of herbicide exposure, are granted. The conditions were diagnosed following active service and the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while stationed at Ubon RTAFB.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which substantially contributed to his cause of death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least equally balanced in terms of whether service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability secondary to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as it was not shown in service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the bilateral legs is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records from Dr. Raveesh and to schedule a VA dermatology examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and hypertension are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, to schedule a VA dermatology examination, and to obtain an additional VA medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish service connection for heart disability or diabetes based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD was caused by fear of hostile military activity during his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, liver disorder, and lung disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening.