Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left wrist, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions during service or within one year post-service, nor did they find a link between any current condition and service. Additionally, there was no evidence supporting loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown in service or within one year thereafter, and is unrelated to service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his left knee disability, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability on a secondary basis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim remains pending. His left shoulder disability claim also remains pending. Increased ratings are sought for both service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at 20 percent. The left ankle sprain with a history of gout warrants a 10 percent evaluation. Both right knee and left knee degenerative joint disease are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to be related to his active duty service or presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and having a combined service-connected disability rating of 40 percent, which is more than the required 30 percent when considering non-service connected disabilities. His combined evaluation for pension is 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and cannot be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and it is not presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services were not covered under the Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act due to private insurance coverage. The claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical services rendered in connection with a service-connected disability is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD materially and substantially aggravated his arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which ultimately led to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was pending before VA on May 3, 1989. The appellant is entitled to retroactive benefits from November 13, 1985.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes. The Board also found that the Veteran had a short visit to Vietnam in June/July 1970, which is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities and hypertension due to service-connected diabetes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's eye disability, including cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, is not related to active service or any service-connected condition. The preponderance of evidence indicates that these conditions are due to aging rather than diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service and there was no evidence of diabetes within one year post-service. The claim is based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current congestive heart failure is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent or 40 percent, respectively.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for colon cancer and diabetes. The claim for diabetes was denied due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange, while the claim for colon cancer remained pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by a heart condition related to his service exposure to Agent Orange. He had pending claims for diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) that were all presumed due to his service exposure to Agent Orange. Accrued benefits are granted for these conditions.