Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities does not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, as his PTSD and diabetes mellitus alone do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's esophageal cancer was caused or aggravated by his service in Vietnam and whether his diabetes mellitus contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with postoperative status two vessel coronary artery bypass graft (coronary artery disability), partial lung removal, transmetatarsal amputation of the left foot, hypertension, and eye disease as there is no evidence that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, stomach disability, and low back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to resultant helplessness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for his claimed conditions based on exposure to Agent Orange. The VA examiners have opined that the Veteran's diabetes, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and skin disorder with scars are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as she failed to show continuous total disability for at least five years prior to her husband's death.,VA treatment in 2002 was not found to be proximately caused by VA fault.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases in finding that the Veteran had type I rather than type II diabetes mellitus, as well as evidence indicating a date of onset within one year of service. The issues on appeal are now pending again with the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining TDY orders from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) or any other source that may have such records. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to Agent Orange due to his service in Vietnam and is entitled to a presumption of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated eye pathology are not related to service, including cold exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is dismissed as the issues are not properly presented.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and colon cancer, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, have been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and a skin rash due to exposure to herbicides as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and postoperative residuals of prostate surgery due to exposure to herbicides as there is no indication the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, prostate cancer, and rheumatism are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including examinations by appropriate medical professionals to clarify the etiology of his obesity and diabetes mellitus conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is being remanded as the procedures set forth in VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual, M21-1MR, IV.ii.2.C have not been followed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, is granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA's failure to inform her of abnormal blood glucose test results. Service connection for a neurologic disorder of the extremities, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral eye disorder are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is remanded.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiomyopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are likely caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in the left ear for VA purposes.