Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of the eyes is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, PFB, and residuals of fractured ribs. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the April 2011 VA examiner and arranging for a new examination to determine if her diabetes mellitus, Type II, was caused or aggravated by her service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus was granted service connection as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, and he is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death is not attributable to a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder and peripheral neuropathy, lipoma, rashes, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of a laminectomy, all due to in-service herbicide exposure. The effective dates were not addressed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the eyes, including glaucoma and other eye conditions, must be remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development. His claim for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and issues of causation between hypertension and diabetes mellitus need further clarification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicidal agents during active duty. The deck logs of the U.S.S. Keppler will be sought from the National Archives and Records Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance, and a compensable evaluation for cataracts due to untimely notice of disagreement. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, retinitis, and peripheral neuropathy as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (including diagnosed coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, and myocardial infarctions), which are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. These conditions contributed to his untimely death.

The Veteran's diabetes has been well-controlled with insulin and a restricted diet, but he has gained weight and experienced occasional hypoglycemic episodes. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in his rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal regarding the initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities.