Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a compensable rating for his right knee scar, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the diabetes claim and concluding that the scar is painful but not disabling enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc/joint disease and spinal canal stenosis, is related to service. He also has other service-connected disabilities that prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Service connection for the low back disability was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, or neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities during the period on appeal. The evidence did not establish a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional unit records from his service in Korea, as the current evidence does not confirm exposure near the DMZ where Agent Orange was used.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to his Vietnam-era service and the associated presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his military service. The claims for TKA and bilateral shoulder disorder were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, including skin conditions, neuropathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a dental condition. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy has resulted in a definite decrease in kidney function, but not to the extent that would warrant higher ratings based on persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN of 40 mg percent or higher.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is found to have been manifested within one year of his discharge from service and etiologically related to his service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded as the definition of inland waterways needs clarification and the personnel records need to be obtained.

The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, including a determination of whether his unit supported the 2nd and 7th Infantry Division near the DMZ in Korea.

The Board is remanding the DIC issue for issuance of an SOC, as there was no effective substantive appeal of the DIC denial before the Board.,The character of service issue remains in its current status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if he can secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore meets the presumptive exposure criteria for type II diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease. The claims are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset in service and is not related to any incident of service origin. The evidence does not show herbicide exposure, thus denying service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran was granted TDIU as of November 1, 2009, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The claims to reopen the issues of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by chronic cough and cold, low back pain, skin rash, and right knee disability are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure in Vietnam or any other country, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure.