Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer was caused by herbicide exposure and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, with diabetes mellitus as a significant condition. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of his death based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, the VA has not verified any temporary duty assignments in Vietnam during the appellant's period of service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The appeal was dismissed as there were no pending claims or entitlements to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and esophageal cancer are being remanded for additional VA examinations to determine if they are related to service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran also has a claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss which is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type I or type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a proper VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for arterial hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, chronic venous insufficiency of the left and right lower extremities (claimed as poor circulation), and a heart condition all secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires regulation of activities due to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, claiming it was caused by herbicide exposure during his military service. The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran served on Hon Sao island and whether Agent Orange was used there.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his cause of death, and there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to his death. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for left eye cataract is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral eye disability related to active service, and his sleep apnea is not related to active service. Hypertension was presumed due to Agent Orange exposure but is not considered secondary to any service-connected condition. The low back/hip disability and skin cancer are also not related to active service or secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy and an initial rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service records and need for additional evidence, including SSA disability records. The appeal will be reconsidered with consideration of new regulations regarding PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his Naval Reserve membership and clarifying statements from lay witnesses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's eczema was not incurred in service and the Board finds that there is no link between his current skin condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim before a decision could be made.