Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of direct or presumptive exposure to Agent Orange, and the disability was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his peripheral neuropathy claims. Additionally, a VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, effective from December 7, 2006. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to a need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is related to his period of active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not incurred or aggravated by service and the claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension. The decision also addressed secondary service connection for a heart disorder and peripheral neuropathy as well as bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's TDIU was awarded effective from May 25, 2004. The Board finds that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not have service-connected disabilities prior to March 3, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires further examination to determine if there is a regulation of activities, and his TDIU claim must be referred for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, amputation of the left leg above the knee, residuals of cold injury of the right lower extremity, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the right and left shoulders, and residuals of a left chest injury. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as dermatitis, is granted service connection. The Veteran's claim for diabetic neuropathy is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the eligibility to a one-time payment from the FVEC fund.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, depression, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The appeal is granted based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a presumption of exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.