Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is denied as he did not serve during a period of war and thus does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus, vision problems, and headaches. Headaches were found to have had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound were received by the RO after his death, but prior to the issuance of a final decision. As such, these claims are not considered pending at the time of his death.

The Veteran's spouse is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits as of March 31, 2009, due to the Veteran being permanently and totally disabled from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or post-service. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and actinic keratoses, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic skin condition during service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology after service to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination for diabetes mellitus. The intertwined claims of service connection for urinary frequency, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hearing loss are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, requires daily insulin use and a restricted diet but does not necessitate regulation of activities. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as there are no indications of frequent hospitalizations or episodes of hypoglycemic reactions or ketoacidosis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance of another person is granted, as he meets the criteria for housebound status due to his age and multiple non-service connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his PTSD.

The Board finds that the appellant's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his condition does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to inadequate VA examination reports in 2006 and 2007, which did not consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in combination.