Diabetes Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) is granted as his presence in Vietnam during his service makes him presumptively exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain, lumbar spine strain, PTSD, and bilateral vision loss. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence secondary to residuals of left bronchogenic cyst.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2005 for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his diabetes has been granted with a 40% evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection for hypertension, left Achilles tendon disorder, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and low back disorder. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and determine if his diabetes mellitus and cataracts are related to service, including ionizing radiation exposure. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain on appeal.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia and type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service onset or association with active duty, and the diabetes claim fails due to lack of presumptive exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, back disability, upper and lower extremity disorders, loss of balance, memory loss, stroke residuals, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cancer of the face (basal cell carcinoma), and duodenal or pancreatic tumor. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke and its residuals are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish exposure to herbicide agents during service or a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and service, including weight gain and exposure to cleaning chemicals. The case is now pending further action.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is less than 70% and he has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The claim for service connection for colon cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his military personnel records and verifying any exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition to include as secondary to his right knee disability has been reopened and granted. He is also awarded TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors related to PTSD and that his diabetes mellitus, type II, seizures, and cysts and lesions of the entire body did not have a direct relationship with his military service.