Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse prior to May 9, 2013, warrants a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 or a pulmonary disability due to lack of exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy or bladder impairment, and the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is denied as there is no established current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The evidence did not support ratings higher than the currently assigned 20 percent ratings for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are granted as they may be presumed associated with exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a back disorder, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and each lower extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining whether any of the appellant's claimed disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep problems (including snoring with sleep apnea), restless leg syndrome, fractures, or arthritis (other than of the back and knees). The Veteran's STRs were silent for these conditions. Post-service treatment records showed current diagnoses but did not establish a link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral cataracts are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Parkinson's disease or diabetes mellitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection claims, finding no CUE in the decisions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, is considered a significant condition contributing to his death from pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to March 31, 2010.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria, but his lumbar spine disorder does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,His migraine headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling and do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn his appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for diabetic retinopathy. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus is proximately due to or caused by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of diabetic neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his active military service in Thailand.