Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus type II or hypertension due to service connection, as there was no evidence of onset during service and no link between current conditions and military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hepatic and renal failure due to sepsis, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis).

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial rating for hypertension has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. His current 60 percent evaluation for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is encompassed in the renal dysfunction rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 1 is not considered to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disability did not manifest during service and was not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to an herbicide agent (i.e., Agent Orange) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish herbicide exposure during service and thus, service connection could not be granted on a presumptive basis. Additionally, there is no evidence of record suggesting direct service connection for diabetes mellitus. For his stomach disorder claim, the Veteran's current GERD diagnosis was deemed unrelated to military service by the VA examiner in February 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and back disorder. The Board finds there are issues regarding exposure to herbicides but the required evidentiary development procedures have not been followed. Additional medical records are needed and a supplemental opinion on whether congenital lumbar stenosis was aggravated by superimposed disease or injury is also needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending claims for service connection, which are necessary to decide the hypertension and TDIU claims.

The Board has found that a rationale for the opinion rendered is inadequate and thus requires a new VA medical opinion to determine if the service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, combined with his death, or aided in producing it.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with nephropathy was granted an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes. However, service connection for conjunctivitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications, were denied as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, vertigo, and memory loss. His combined nonservice-connected disability rating for pension purposes is 90 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding private treatment records. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is being considered based on presumed exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD. Specifically, VA must obtain records of any treatment received outside of VA, verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand during his Vietnam-era service, and provide a VA examination to assess the etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective January 7, 2010. His tinnitus remains at a maximum of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he asserts is due to herbicide exposure, was denied as there is no credible evidence of such exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and therefore cannot establish direct service connection. For pension purposes, the Veteran's claim remains pending as additional records are needed.