Diabetes Board decisions

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The medical evidence did not support a link between Agent Orange exposure and the cause of death.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the scalp was not shown to be related to his service and is therefore denied. The Veteran's hypertension is currently considered 'unknown' in terms of its connection to service, but it may be proximately due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened due to new evidence. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus and anemia were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, chronic renal insufficiency, and Type II diabetes mellitus due to exposure to tactical chemical herbicides were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link between the conditions and active duty.

The Board denied reopening the previously-denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the disease did not become chronic during service or within one year of separation and was not related to service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure claims and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The claims for service connection will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral eye problems (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify his exposure to Agent Orange during service aboard the USS Shelton and to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by his service, as there was no evidence of such diseases during service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was diagnosed during the appeal period but the examiner could not determine if it was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and PTSD were granted service connection based on presumptive exposure to herbicides. The effective dates for these grants are September 13, 2010, and May 10, 2006 respectively.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, and this condition manifested after separation from service with sufficient severity to warrant a 10% disability rating under VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as whether these conditions are related or aggravated by each other.

The Veteran's right eye diabetic retinopathy was manifested by objective findings of corrected distance vision of 20/50 or better since February 6, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type I, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left index finger disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection, a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes and coronary artery disease, which he claims are secondary to medications prescribed for his service-connected schizophrenia. The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are necessary in this case.