Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was incurred during his military service, as evidenced by his self-reported exposure to DDT and the subsequent development of the condition many years after service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking the fatal conditions to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Meniere's syndrome, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and no higher.,High cholesterol, a laboratory finding, cannot be service connected.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty for training. The skin disorder and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II with impotency, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during active service. The Board has granted this claim. No specific rating or effective date was assigned as the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, or diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, ionizing radiation, or other chemicals. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were not shown to be related to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was evaluated at a 20% rating prior to April 6, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in his disability rating due to lack of medical documentation indicating he required regulation of strenuous activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including exposure to chemical agents during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to assess his conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lower extremity peripheral vascular disease may be related to his service-connected DM, but further examination is needed to determine this conclusively.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain any outstanding medical records related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and left hand third finger. The claims will be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and updated VA treatment records. A medical opinion will be obtained regarding the relationship between hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type 2, as well as an evaluation of his employability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required any regulation of activities, and from February 15, 2011, it has only met the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation. Therefore, his claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and diabetes mellitus, both secondary to herbicide exposure, are granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in April and May 1968 due to his duties as a photographer in or near the DMZ.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the opinion regarding whether hypertension was aggravated by coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus, including considering the role of the pacemaker.