Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral vision loss, a psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, including consideration of herbicide exposure. The AOJ will determine if the USS Bridgett was stationed in inland waterways of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The specific theory of service connection is not specified in the decision summary.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury and no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show regulation of activities.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of prostate cancer was denied as he did not require absorbent materials or have recurrent urinary tract infections.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there was no evidence of removal of half or more of the penis, removal of the glans, or deformity of the penis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a heart disorder (to include a heart attack), finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not related to his military service or any incident therein. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, have not been met.,Regarding ischemic heart disease, the claim has yet to be developed and/or adjudicated on a secondary causation basis.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's fatal cardiac arrest and/or diabetes were caused or aggravated by exposure to toxic chemicals in service, an additional disability (or medication taken for such), or his service-connected left and right shoulder arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder disability, elevated blood sugar (including diabetes mellitus), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy are granted on the basis of presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The erectile dysfunction claim is being withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and finds that he was exposed to herbicides while stationed at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Nakh Phanom during the Vietnam era. Therefore, his Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2006 and diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found no evidence of service connection for either condition, as the diagnoses were not related to active duty or any claimed in-service risk factors.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and an increased rating for bilateral renal upper pole duplication, post-operative. The Veteran's current diabetes was not shown in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a bilateral foot disorder, including verification of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at a 40 percent disability rating from July 18, 2012 to May 1, 2015 and is now rated at a 60 percent disability rating effective May 1, 2015. The Veteran also has been granted an effective date of May 29, 2008 for the need for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetic retinopathy remains pending.