Diabetes decisions — 2008

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from August 23, 2005, due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a rating increase for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The disability is secondary to alcohol abuse.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral eye disorders, finding that the veteran's conditions did not manifest during his active duty or as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as his lower extremity disability is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations. The TDIU claim was also denied as the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for prostate cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The hypertension claim was reopened but not granted as secondary to rheumatic heart disease.

The veteran's diabetic retinopathy and diabetes mellitus have not resulted in compensable or higher ratings, respectively.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant due to lack of service-connected blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for proper notification regarding the applicable regulation (38 C.F.R. § 3.310).

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disorder is not related to his period of active military service or any period of ACDUTRA. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent, as it requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not necessitate regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's tinnitus, lipomas, diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, and scars. The effective date claim is deferred until the other claims are fully developed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, which he claims was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis with asthma. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from hazards without regular assistance.