Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed visitation to Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that his diabetes required only oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet without requiring regulation of activities.

The Board denied all service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, a back disability, allergies, hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and epilepsy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service or post-service connections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed service-connected due to his exposure in Vietnam, and thus grants the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 12, 2006, for a grant of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because the increase in disability was not ascertainable within one year prior to the date of the claim. The effective date is set at June 12, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes, depressive disorder, hypertension (to include as secondary to diabetes), and a heart disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to renal failure and acute pancreatitis, as these conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was considered a significant condition contributing to his death but not resulting from service-connected causes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations needed to determine his employability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during his naval service.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, may not be presumed due to herbicide exposure, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of combat experience and uncorroborated stressor allegations. For DM, the Board noted that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his diabetes required only a restricted diet.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type I, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and its related conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substance abuse and alcoholism are not service-connected as they were a result of his own willful misconduct. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and depression remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and compensable evaluation for cataracts were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was also denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic low back syndrome with degenerative disc disease and arthritis.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's eye disability (diabetic retinopathy).

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that no evidence showed a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.