Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The RO has already awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and residuals of prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction have all been granted service connection effective June 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus could not establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and right foot Charcot deformity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions and whether new evidence supports reopening his epididymitis claim.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 20, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment as of October 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have verified service or visitation within the territorial confines of the Republic of Vietnam, and there is no evidence to support his claim of exposure to chemical herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus cannot be granted based on presumptive exposure. The claim for PTSD will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Base and thus, his ischemic heart disease is granted service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development of the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke residuals), enlarged prostate (voiding dysfunction), colon cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was manifested by symptomatology approximating the criteria for a 40 percent rating during the entire period on appeal. The claim is granted with an evaluation of 40 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he contends was caused by his exposure to herbicides during his military service. The VA has not been able to confirm the exact nature of his exposure and needs to conduct further research.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. Service connection is now established for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board is remanding the claims for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), and cirrhosis of the liver to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be considered in light of his reported stressors during service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities, including diabetes, gout, fibromyalgia, brain tumor/hemangioma, right and left lower extremity disabilities, did not become manifest during service or are otherwise related to service. The appeal is denied.