Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for tinnitus and hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The RO previously denied this claim in February 2004 due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all denied as there is no credible evidence to support presumptive exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral retinopathy, finding that both conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during the specified period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that there was no evidence of active pathology or impairment of visual acuity or field loss, pain, rest-requirements, or episodic incapacity.

The Board finds that the disability attributable to diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities for rating purposes includes polyradiculopathy involving the left thoracic and entire lumbar and S1 roots, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure and the disease did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's combined rating is 80 percent, and the VA specialist determined that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion from a VA TDIU examiner. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered in determining whether they make him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The disabilities are less likely than not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The RO previously denied this claim in February 2004 due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus (type II) was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have incurred during active military service due to Agent Orange exposure. The residuals of a left rib fracture are not considered related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides while stationed in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his period of service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn. The initial rating of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to August 13, 2008, and the higher than 60 percent rating from August 13, 2008, through December 4, 2008, are denied. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent as of December 4, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, verifying Agent Orange exposure, scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.