Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service in Thailand. The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, with erectile dysfunction, has been rated at 20 percent since November 9, 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition requires insulin and restricted diet but no regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has these conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine when this condition resolved, if at all, as well as whether it is related to his military service or service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both of which were denied due to a lack of qualifying Vietnam service. The deck logs from April 1967 did not indicate in-country service, and the internet articles provided no additional information regarding the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II are also being addressed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cancer of the vocal cords, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his diabetes mellitus was related to presumed exposure to herbicides during service aboard U.S.S. Weiss APD-135.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus secondary to PTSD due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is to be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown to have onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a nexus between his service and his current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy does not result in any impairment of visual acuity that would warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the proximate cause of the Veteran's death was not due to VA treatment, including Dilantin administration, and thus denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining command histories and other relevant evidence to verify the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran is entitled to representation at all stages of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale provided by the examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected coronary artery disease. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examination reports. The appeal will be remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, and he is prevented from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.