Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange used along the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ). The claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his suicide.

The veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. As a result, the Board grants service connection for diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dyslipidemia, abdominal tumor (carcinoid tumor), a skin disorder claimed as nevi and/or baker's cyst, and diabetes mellitus all secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran is seeking higher evaluations for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, early cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy from specific time periods. The case has been remanded to allow for further development including a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis contributed to his death due to congestive heart failure, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain reserve component records and other relevant medical records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires the use of an oral hypoglycemic and he sometimes follows a restricted diet, but it does not require the use of insulin. The criteria for an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent are not met.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 is denied because the veteran had a 100% disability rating at the time of his death, but no pending claims were found. Accrued benefits are also denied as there was no outstanding claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the date of onset of diabetes mellitus and the need for additional medical records.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, as the combined rating of his conditions did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and preparing a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet and insulin, but not regulation of activities such as avoidance of strenuous occupational or recreational activities. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed back condition, gland condition, gout, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to exposure to herbicide agents and toxic chemicals. The RO is instructed to obtain service personnel records and contact DOD and Air Force for information on the veteran's duties in Sembach, Germany.

The Board found that the appellant was not disabled by diabetes mellitus during his period of active duty for training and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of both diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and an eye disorder. The claim for reopening a back disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis, grade I with DDD and residuals of a collapsed lung. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened but not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, effective from September 17, 2002 (the date of receipt of the informal claim), based on accrued benefits. The effective date is fixed in accordance with the facts found and shall not be earlier than May 8, 2001, due to a liberalizing regulation.