Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for chronic low back pain, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and benign hypertrophy of the prostate. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was reopened and granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service at Korat Air Force Base, Thailand. The Veteran is also presumed to have been exposed to PTSD based on his military duties.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and compensable evaluations for his shell fragment wounds have been denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The RO/AMC is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the likely etiology of his diabetes and whether it is related to in-service radiation exposure. Additionally, VCAA notice must be provided regarding ionizing radiation claims.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an incomplete record and a need for additional development, including locating the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) and any enclosures submitted in July 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, depression, arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and hips, memory loss (small vessel brain disease), headaches, macular degeneration, dry eyes, and flat feet have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and a TDIU was timely filed, resulting in the grant of these issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension, secondary to diabetes. Service connection is granted for these conditions due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and development of his TDIU claim. The Board will review the case again after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonservice-connected pension benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Korea and updated income information.

The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic cancer, which is not presumed to be related to service exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes or coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange during the Veteran's active duty in Korea.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for an enlarged heart as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision. The claim of reopening service connection for hypertension (as secondary to PTSD) is granted, and the matter may be remanded for further development. Service connection for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's diabetes is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA compensation examination to provide a supplemental medical nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner or scheduling a new examination if necessary. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are being evaluated in relation to his service-connected esophageal reflux with IBS and diarrhea.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in determining the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain all relevant records pertaining to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is also denied.