Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The claim is denied.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (asystole due to congestive heart failure) did not develop during his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran had been service-connected for PTSD, but this condition was not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, and the increased rating for his left eye disability remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disease associated with diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of additional functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the feet warrants separate 10 percent ratings. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran does not have PTSD due to uncorroborated claimed stressors. Service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, secondary to DM, is granted since July 9, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, and polymyositis based on exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus is secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied increased ratings prior to November 5, 2003 and from that date forward. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a stroke are being remanded due to the need for additional records from VA facilities in Michigan, Social Security Administration records related to his disability benefits claim, and any other relevant evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not present during service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's current flushing syndrome and associated symptoms are secondary to his contamination during service with jet engine fuel.,Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, osteopenia, and obstructive sleep apnea are all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected flushing syndrome.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was treated solely by exercise and a restricted diet for the period from June 10, 2005, to May 29, 2008. For the period beginning May 30, 2008, he began taking metformin but his activities were not regulated.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death must be remanded due to incomplete notification and missing medical records. The VA will need to provide proper VCAA notice, obtain terminal hospital reports, and seek a medical opinion regarding whether any fatal cardiovascular or pulmonary disorder had its onset during the Veteran's period of military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 7, 2008 for emergency treatment of difficulty breathing and trouble swallowing are approved due to the severity of his service-connected heart disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service records and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.