Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides is presumed. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between residuals, stroke, left lower extremity amputation, right lower extremity amputation, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy and service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and chronic venous insufficiency (claimed as leg ulcers) due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cancer, which is service-connected as diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the cause of death is deemed to be service connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death, as well as whether other conditions contributed to his death.

The Board found that hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of their presence during service. The diagnoses were first documented after service, but the Veteran did not provide credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II (presumptive due to Vietnam service), heart disability, and neurological disability are on appeal.

Service connection was denied for all of the conditions listed in the claim, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, vision loss, a skin disability, obesity, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, as due to exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his military service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the medical records.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical examination addressing the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its etiology, including whether it was present within the first post-service year.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current eye problems to his active military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus Type II, arthritis of the left knee, hypertension, and gout as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a visual acuity disability, initial rating for diabetes mellitus, and compensable initial rating for tinea cruris were denied. The appeal is also denied for the issue of entitlement to an increased initial rating for tinea cruris.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, thus denying the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $10,186.40 is waived due to fault on both his and VA's part, undue hardship caused by repayment, and failure to take into account significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of the claim for left shoulder and arm pain. The other conditions have been found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim challenging the amount of Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) payment, finding that his claim was legally barred due to the nature of CRSC and TDIU benefits.