Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of Vietnam service and the appellant could not provide any records of alleged exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new psychiatric examination. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the appellant's service connection claims, including an evaluation by a physician to determine the onset of Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in Okinawa, as well as obtain additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy with CTS of the RUE and LUE, as well as for diabetic neuropathy of the RLE and LLE, were denied. The conditions are currently manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis in both upper extremities and mild to moderate incomplete paralysis in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, OSA, high cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction were not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disability, specifically the loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are not related to his service or exposure to herbicides in Thailand. As such, these claims for service connection must be denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as secondary to Agent Orange exposure in Thailand, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at RTAFB Korat.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II has been manifested by the need for insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that the disability picture is fully contemplated by the rating criteria and no extraschedular referral is required.

The Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, and bilateral cataracts are rated as part of the diabetic process. No separate compensable ratings for these conditions are warranted.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent evaluation for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, effective February 28, 2014.,The initial evaluations for hypertension and diabetic neuropathy remain denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has been found to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. His combined disability rating is sufficient for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides and the conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to his service-connected prostate cancer and diabetes, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic prostatitis. The claims for diabetes, acute epididymitis, and PTSD have been found to be supported by evidence of a current disability, in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction/impotence are all service-connected as secondary to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, cardiological disability, including hypertension, and right ear hearing loss are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine whether it is medically necessary for the Veteran to avoid strenuous occupational and recreational activities due to his diabetic conditions (other than peripheral neuropathy for which he is separately rated).