Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 13, 2004. The RO also granted a TDIU from December 13, 2004 to February 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or along the DMZ where herbicide exposure was recognized.

The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus are currently rated, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently managed with insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of his activities. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus. The claims for migraine headaches and residuals of a cut on the inner left thigh (right thigh scar) are still pending as further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which was diagnosed posthumously. The cause of death listed on his death certificate is 'unknown natural causes,' but it is believed to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for a VA examination to assess the appellant's functional ability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims were not supported by evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors or events.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's hypertension secondary to his DM has been granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by cholangiocarcinoma, a service-connected condition. His diabetes mellitus and primary sclerosing cholangitis also contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, and the current diagnosis of diabetes did not result from service.

The Board restored service connection for the Veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 10, 2005 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing the disability existed and was manifested to a compensable degree on May 8, 2001, which is the date of the liberalizing law.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the increased rating for tinnitus. The claims for service connection and disability ratings were denied, as well as the extension of special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any associated complications. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type I with hypertension and incomplete erectile dysfunction is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD was denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that could support the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no evidence of in-country service within the Republic of Vietnam and therefore no presumption of Agent Orange exposure can be applied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and assigned a 20 percent rating effective from the date of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for service connection of malignant x-monomorphous adenoma with metastases to the lung and brain, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent prior to September 28, 2007, and is rated as 100 percent thereafter.