Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all theories of entitlement, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran had pending claims for service connection and special monthly compensation at the time of his death. The appellant, as a sibling, is not eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the Veteran's receipt of special monthly pension benefits that exceeded his service-connected compensation entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a low back disorder have been granted. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture has also been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded as there are outstanding medical records and SSA records that need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatic cancer and Diabetes Mellitus Type II, finding no evidence of a causal link to his in-service exposure or service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and thus not warranting presumptive service connection. The severance of service connection for status post neck resection for cancer of the larynx was also upheld.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a low back disability were denied as there was no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied due to lack of in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, due to incomplete development of evidence regarding in-service stressors and potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran will be scheduled for updated VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor or attributable to service. Diabetes mellitus type II was not shown to be related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions. Hypertension was also not shown to be related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment therefor, as well as service connection for skin cancer (other than on the face).

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but the RO found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the relevant time periods.

The Board found no evidence of current diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disease, vascular diseases, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and kidney failure.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his complete service personnel file, verifying in-service exposure to herbicides, and affording a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure during his time in the Republic of Vietnam. As such, he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction, and hypertension cannot be granted based on exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection. The claims for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, depression, and a skin disorder (cysts or growths on the neck) remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, psoriasis, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Veteran's statements regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam were found to lack credibility.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial disability ratings for his service-connected peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied. The conditions have been diagnosed as Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.