Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to his service-connected exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds that his symptoms are more consistent with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is already service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities but no other complications warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure during service, and further efforts are needed from VA's Joint Service Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during his Vietnam Era service, has been remanded due to insufficient information provided by the VA to verify his alleged exposure. The case will be referred back to JSRRC for further verification.

The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to August 15, 2011 and granted a 40 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy has been rated at 30 percent since March 31, 2010. The rating is granted and effective as of that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, was not caused by active service, and was not caused or aggravated by service-connected hypertension. The Board finds that the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's diabetes is caused or aggravated by service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and noting the Veteran's history of alcohol abuse. The claim was also not granted for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The Board has also remanded the cases to obtain a VA examination regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and hypertension, as these conditions may be related to presumed herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required for a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agent. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings as it does not require insulin, regulation of activities, episodes of ketoacidosis/hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization, or progressive loss of strength/weight.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, and diabetes mellitus is not linked to a service-connected condition. The claims were denied.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service and the Veteran's current condition did not manifest within one year post-service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the RLE, LLE and RUE have been granted with a rating of 40 percent for each condition effective from May 30, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide an adequate examination and address the issue of secondary service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. VA will also attempt to secure any outstanding VA treatment records from Boston, Massachusetts.

The Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and its etiology. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The hypertension issue remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a sweat gland disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, cataracts, heart disorder, and hypothyroidism, all claimed as due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.