Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and diabetes. As such, these claims remain denied.

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

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, has been rated at 40 percent since June 2007. This rating is based on the criteria for Diabetes Mellitus under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II with bilateral cataracts is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was caused by his VA-prescribed medication, Zyprexa, and the Board finds that this constitutes a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including heart murmur, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board has determined that further development is needed for all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not provide new and material information to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 40 percent rating, reflecting the need for insulin and restricted diet with activities regulated due to fatigue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service disease or injury and the long interval between service and diagnosis makes it unlikely that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in active service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, grand mal seizures, headaches, hearing loss, and dizziness are being remanded due to the need for additional records from his VA treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further review is required before a final decision can be made on his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not the surviving spouse of the Veteran, and therefore, DIC benefits are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorders and Type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his STRs, confirm herbicide exposure at Eglin Air Force Base, and provide VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam. Further efforts are needed to verify if the Veteran set foot within the land borders of the Republic of Vietnam during his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and treatment history.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's back disability. The diabetes mellitus claim is also being remanded due to the Court's decision in Haas v. Nicholson.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to verify the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.