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 renal failure, heart disease, prostate cancer, removal of the gallbladder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin cancer, and residuals of head trauma. The evidence does not establish herbicide exposure during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from SSA. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve on the land mass of Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA examiner opined that the current diabetes mellitus, type II, was secondary to obesity, which developed after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches in June 1992. The Veteran's claim of service connection for DM and an eye disorder was remanded by the Board but not fully addressed due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent, but his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities are both rated at 40 percent.,Arterial hypertension was found to be aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be due to Agent Orange exposure, and service connection is granted. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor has not been verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right knee disability, left trigger thumb, and nose bleeds is withdrawn. For sinusitis with rhinitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2009, and 30 percent from that date, has been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of his claimed exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as pneumonia, dementia and probable lewy body dementia. Other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause were diabetes mellitus II, and coronary artery disease. The Board found no evidence that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his diabetes mellitus, and consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection for type II diabetes mellitus could be decided as the claim is not about exposure to herbicides.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The issue of whether service connection should be restored for end stage renal disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Diabetes mellitus, a service-connected condition presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange, is not considered the primary or contributing cause of his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and liver condition are found to be due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, is denied. The Board finds no current disability related to this condition.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not present during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.