Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), finding no evidence of such exposure and concluding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral chronic open angle glaucoma has resulted in visual acuity of 20/40 bilaterally since October 17, 2002. This does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus based on new and material evidence, but further development is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. Additionally, he is granted a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his right upper extremity and a 20 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his left upper extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for an anxiety disorder and is currently considering the secondary service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and entitlement to total disability based on unemployability were denied. The criteria for diabetes, atherosclerotic heart disease, and various types of peripheral neuropathy did not meet the requirements for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to insufficient evidence confirming his presence in Vietnam. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining relevant records and unit histories.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's precise dates of service aboard the USS Renshaw and whether he had 'Brown Water' service in Vietnam. The claim for a bilateral foot fungus will be remanded for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied. The examiner found that the Veteran's diabetes was at least as likely as not related to his inferred exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, but service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the PVD was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that VA medical treatment contributed to his death. The cause of death was pneumonia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could potentially grant service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide agent. The Veteran's current diagnosis was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease as secondary to service-connected Graves' disease. The expert medical opinion supports these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted. The Board has also determined that he is entitled to a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and a total rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Board granted an effective date of August 1, 2000 for payment of an annual clothing allowance due to the Veteran's use of orthotic devices prescribed by a private physician. The decision also addressed service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes.