Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a right knee disability, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and its impact on his ability to work, as well as the severity of his peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his military service. The PTSD is linked to a verified in-service stressor, while diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran died of metastatic colon cancer, which is not service-connected. The cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, while diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not initially manifested within one year of his release from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and a separate compensable disability evaluation for hypertension as a diabetic complication.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board finds that the conditions are not related to his period of active duty for special work.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that his condition does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7913 due to lack of evidence showing regulation of activities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes, renal cysts, or peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides in service. The Veteran's conditions are presumed unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of actual or presumed exposure to herbicides and no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus is related to his exposure to atropine, scopolamine, or anticholinesterases during service. The Veteran served as a laboratory officer conducting research on possible incapacitating agents in animals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a search of the Veteran's service records and exposure to chemical and biological agents at Dugway Proving Grounds. Additional medical opinions are also needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran does not currently have a kidney disability, including diabetic nephropathy, which is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, erectile dysfunction, and a respiratory condition claimed as sarcoidosis were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cerebrovascular accident, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's spouse was also denied special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's annual income exceeds the maximum limit for nonservice-connected pension benefits with aid and attendance, resulting in denial of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or substantially contribute to his death. The primary cause of death was right kidney rupture with hemorrhage, due to adult cystic disease and end stage renal disease.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied aid and attendance or housebound benefits for the appellant. The conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2006 for a TDIU was denied as service connection did not become effective for any disability prior to that date.