Diabetes Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and skin cancer are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II or diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there was no evidence of the disease during service or within one year after discharge, and he did not serve in Vietnam. The Board found that presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure could not be granted due to lack of presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not encompass any disability of the eyes or upper extremities, and his lower extremity conditions are not severe enough to qualify for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as there was no credible evidence linking the condition to active service. The appellant's assertions about being diagnosed with diabetes in 1962 or 1963 were deemed unreliable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to Agent Orange exposure, applying the doctrine of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetic retinopathy, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was denied. The Board found that there is no clinical evidence of diabetic retinopathy in the record.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show diabetes. He was stationed in Korea, but his unit did not operate near the area sprayed with herbicides. As a result, presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of actual exposure to herbicides and thus cannot grant direct service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is not service-connected. Other significant conditions contributing to his death (atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic lung disease) are also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and heart condition did not manifest during a period of active duty or within one year after separation from such a period. The conditions are also not presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to certain environments or substances. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), were denied by the Board. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, including whether it is separate from his service-connected PTSD. The RO should also obtain all outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical acts required by sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, with no evidence of pre-service or post-service onset.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the need for insulin or regulation of activities. Service connection was granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but the Veteran's employment is not affected by these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be due to herbicide exposure during active service in Korea, warranting a grant of service connection. The rating for his low back disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The current evaluations are considered appropriate.