Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has determined that the service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus contributed to the Veteran's death, which was caused by metastatic colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the Shreveport VAMC and readjudicating the claims.

The Board found that the causes of the Veteran's death, including his service-connected conditions, were not principal or contributory causes. The Veteran's service-connected disorders did not cause his death.

The Veteran's brain cancer is not service-connected as it metastasized from his testicular cancer, which is unrelated to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is service-connected due to its relation to active service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including VA manual-mandated development regarding asbestos exposure. The DIC claim will be readjudicated based on whether service connection can be established for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of active pseudofolliculitis barbae or diabetes mellitus requiring compensable ratings, and the TDIU claim was not addressed as it had been rendered moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has restored the service connection for right and left leg peripherovascular venous insufficiency as secondary to Diabetes Mellitus due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a hearing prior to the severance of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea or Japan. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus, were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other service-connected disabilities that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia, and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease were all denied. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for his duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or hiatal hernia during service or within one year post-service, and the Board found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease has been rated as 20% disabling.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as the proximate cause of his additional disability (external rotation deformity) was not due to VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board found the Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service to be incredible.

The Board finds that the effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a brain injury should be November 19, 2004, not prior to this date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability and lymphocytic leukemia due to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection is sought for lymphocytic leukemia, which the Veteran claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides during service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and/or Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone. The RO/AMC should further develop this claim based on VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1MR.,Service connection is sought for diabetes mellitus, type II, which the Veteran claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides during service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and/or Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone. The RO/AMC should further develop this claim based on VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1MR.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and related complications. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and a medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The condition has resulted in episodes of hyperglycemia but not ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.