Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds that these conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The Board finds that the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus must be denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from asphyxia due to freshwater drowning.

The Veteran is service-connected for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, which are rated at 50% combined. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his mental health condition and diabetes, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and is entitled to presumptions based on such exposure. As a result, the Veteran's current diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is presumed to be due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for the preparation of an SOC regarding his TDIU claim and initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional private medical records. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy are in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as it falls under the presumptive exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, as these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus did not become manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes is related to any event in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand and the claimed disabilities are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information and authorization to obtain relevant medical records, including from Dr. Bremer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's circulatory problems of the feet and legs were not incurred in service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that such disability is related to his service. The Veteran does have diabetes mellitus but there is no causal relationship between this condition and his current circulatory problems.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted, as it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for bilateral fifth toe disorder and thoracic/lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran still desires a hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus is presumed under VA regulations, and thus service connection is granted.