Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, leading to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD from April 11, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for leukemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The Veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia may be related to Agent Orange exposure during service, while his diabetes mellitus type II requires a current VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including asthma and bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastrointestinal issues, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes. The claims are related to service connection for these conditions based on exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin injections but does not require a restricted diet or regulation of activities. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the onset of his condition during service or its relationship to frostbite residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his active service and remanded for further development regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, including claimed herbicide exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a relationship between his current condition and any incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. The appeal was based on exposure to herbicides in service but no such exposure is presumed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right hip disabilities, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sinus disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and swollen neck glands. The evidence submitted since the previous denial was found not to be new and material.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by a disease or injury in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma. The appellant is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service and did not arise from exposure to herbicides. The evidence showed no in-service diagnosis or treatment for diabetes, and the condition was first diagnosed more than 32 years after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal of a retroactive temporary total rating based on surgery for prostate cancer in June 2004 was dismissed due to the finality of the September 2005 rating decision. The claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, as well as reopening service connection for psychiatric disorder, are addressed.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including ED and sleep apnea, as they were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.