Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and a neurological disorder of the upper and lower extremities, to include peripheral neuropathy and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The case is being remanded due to insufficient development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The appeal regarding clear and unmistakable error in the December 2005 rating decision was deferred, and the new and material evidence claim for lumbosacral spine disability is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's asthma is related to his active duty service and has been granted service connection. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the relationship between his sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and his service-connected asthma.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and denied the claim as there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes was related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

Service connection for muscle fatigue, memory loss, joint pain (multiple), and headaches was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicides in Guam, which has not been verified. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current gout, diabetes mellitus, and heart disorder did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) and require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet are being remanded due to outstanding service personnel records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are presumed to be related to his military service due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have hypothyroidism or retinopathy as a result of his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, is currently rated at 40 percent. This meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction due to diabetes mellitus) was not principally or contributorily caused by a service-connected condition, specifically his bilateral blindness. The VHA specialist concluded that there is no way to assess the quantitative contribution of the stress from blindness to his cardiac condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by direct evidence showing the onset of these conditions during or shortly after his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2005. The claim for increased initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in service records and issues regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus was found to require the use of insulin and a restricted diet prior to August 10, 2009. The Board granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Jabbour.