Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and right bundle branch block. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to deciding the claim, including a VA examination to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II and determine its etiology, as well as a VA cardiological examination to determine whether the Veteran has a current cardiac disability.

The Veteran's eye disability, including diabetic retinopathy, was not shown to be related to service or service-connected diabetes.,With resolution of doubt in the Veteran's favor, his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Guam, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was granted service connection as it began during active service. The other issues on appeal are related to higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, nephropathy with edema and hypertension, and gout.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD and a skin disorder has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and could not be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to an herbicidal agent. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues related to reopening previously denied claims for hypertension, chronic skin disability (dermatitis, chloracne, squamous cell carcinoma), diabetes mellitus type II, cardiac disability, breathing problems, and a chronic nerve disability of the hands, face, and legs.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service or a service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board found that the evidence added to the record since the final rating decisions does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicides, rosacea and actinic keratosis (claimed as a skin disorder) as a result of exposure to herbicides, hypertension, or anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type 2 with bilateral incipient cataract was denied. The earlier effective dates for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, diabetes (claimed as borderline diabetes), neuropathy of the hands and upper extremities, neuropathy of the feet and lower extremities, and glaucoma were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS De Haven and determining if routine dumping of Agent Orange over water off Vietnam was a practice prior to landing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are inextricably intertwined with his claim for diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, as well as hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea, and also because of the interrelated nature of the claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes, which he contends is due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service in Vietnam. The RO denied this claim and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred or aggravated during a confirmed period of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) with the U.S. Naval Reserve.