Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to his service in Vietnam and herbicide exposure, contributed to his death from coronary artery disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, whether new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hyperlipidemia, or essential tremors. The claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, arthritis, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease and/or congestive heart failure are proximately due to his service-connected bronchial asthma. The disability ratings for these conditions remain unchanged as they were already in place prior to this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7913 have been met.

The Veteran's death was due to a service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus), and the effective date for DIC benefits is set at January 27, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, ED, right eye cataract, CAD, a busted eardrum with nerve damage, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were based on direct service connection rather than due to herbicide exposure or secondary to another condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound, as his conditions do not warrant such benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides in service and his diabetes mellitus was not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent, effective November 20, 2003. Effective the same date, he also received separate evaluations for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease of all four extremities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for myasthenia gravis and granted it. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertensive vascular disease, and cardiovascular disease are considered complications of his nonservice-connected myasthenia gravis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus and associated foot neuropathies have been granted initial compensable ratings, with the right and left foot neuropathy receiving a 10 percent rating effective February 28, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease or atherosclerotic heart disease. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new evidence did not reopen his hypertension claim but denying all other issues on the merits.