Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with hypertension, dermatophytosis, and bilateral hearing loss effective June 27, 2005. The Veteran's claims were filed on the same day as these determinations.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for neurological residuals of a shrapnel wound of the prostate is denied as there is no additional neurological impairment related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's statements regarding a personal assault during service in Vietnam are credible, and the preponderance of medical evidence supports an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder as a result of his claimed in-service stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted, but no increased rating or TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II; vertigo; and heart disorder are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension contributed to his death from respiratory failure, making them contributory causes of death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence did not establish a chronic condition prior to separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as presumptively due to inservice exposure to herbicides. The other claims are denied.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, sleep disorder, heart disorder, and eye disorder. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment, thus a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling another hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities or due to a condition related to his in-service treatment. The appellant must be provided with proper VCAA notice and any relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has not required a regulation of activities, and the Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for the currently assigned initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and is not causally related to his military service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further review by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a statement of the case on issues related to his diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and retinopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both of which may be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his military service in Vietnam.