Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Board dismissed the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic renal involvement, paralysis of the median nerves, and thrombosis of the brain due to a lack of appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has ordered a remand to verify the Veteran's service in Vietnam, obtain medical opinions regarding the cause of death and diabetes mellitus, and complete VA Form 21-4142 for treatment information. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to its severity. Other nonservice-connected conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, GERD, and peripheral vascular disease are more significant contributors to his functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and impotency as secondary to hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has ordered the VA Regional Office (RO) to request morning records and sick call reports, as well as a copy of the Veteran's DD-214. The AOJ failed to comply with these orders in their previous remand. The case is now being remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no current clinical diagnosis of the condition and noting that it is not a presumptively service-connected disability due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and an earlier effective date for service connection, finding that his diabetes did not require regulation of activities as required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began during his active military service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The other conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Warren Memorial Hospital from February 8, 2006 to February 13, 2006 meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center on October 10, 2007 were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his treatment for a service-connected condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, was not service-connected. His diabetes mellitus has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since March 6, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as residuals of herbicide exposure in service, is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is due to hemochromatosis. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease and a psychiatric disorder remain under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis of the liver did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, nor were they a contributory cause. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran's hypertension and allergic rhinitis are not associated with herbicide exposure, but the Veteran is still entitled to direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ocular hypertension, and heart disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to Agent Orange or other potential causes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, lymphoma cancer, or hypertension as a result of service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and potential Agent Orange exposure.