Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's other than honorable discharge from active service for his period of October 13, 1970 to March 23, 1976 is a bar to VA benefits based on that period. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, due to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as the earliest factually ascertainable date that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities was June 14, 2005.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, lung disability, eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Video Conference hearing. The claims related to earlier effective date, evaluation of scar, increased rating for arthritis, and service connection for diabetes mellitus are pending.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition requires insulin and restricted diet but does not necessitate regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a search of deck logs to determine if the Veteran's service aboard USS Klondike included time in Vietnam. The claim will be reconsidered based on all pertinent evidence and regulations.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus type I and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The AOJ will obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, notify the Veteran of his duty to submit relevant evidence, and schedule him for a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death is etiologically related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange and any disability that 'should have been' service connected (e.g., diabetes mellitus).

The Veteran's DM2 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 21, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for DM2 was denied. The claims to reopen and establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were granted as secondary to DM2.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lead poisoning, lung disability as the residual of asbestos exposure, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has resulted in loss of use of a creative organ, warranting special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a connection to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is denied for all conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and basic eligibility for DEA benefits. The appellant's spouse is now eligible to receive these benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, which was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, may be secondary to CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran, his disability manifested by type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange that was incurred in active service.