Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including confirmation of herbicide exposure and a VA examination to determine if any skin rash is related to service. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, skin rash, and rheumatic heart disease due to herbicide exposure are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's palsy, diabetes mellitus type II, and pancreatic pseudocysts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or exposure to environmental toxins.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to January 1, 2007 was denied. The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent in October 2006 was upheld. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hemangiomas were not granted.

The Board finds that service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is warranted, as the Veteran's current diagnosis can be traced back to his active duty period. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 is also granted due to the established link between the two conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to any service-connected disability.,At the time of his death, the Veteran had a combined 70% evaluation for his service-connected disabilities and did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in Korea and determine if he was part of a unit that provided support to the 7th Infantry Division. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security records, VA outpatient records, and medical opinions.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus type I did not manifest during service or within one year of the Veteran's discharge, and thus denied service connection. For the low back disorder, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is proximately caused or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, numbness and tingling of the hands, and hypertension have been granted. The conditions are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's asthma was not found to be related to service.,A chronic skin disorder was not found to be related to service.,GERD was not found to be related to service.,Liver disorder was not found to be related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with onychomycosis and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is rated at a 40 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus was improper.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran's PTSD is also service-connected.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy claims are being remanded for further examination. His adjustment disorder with depressed mood claim is also remanded, but he needs to file a Substantive Appeal to perfect his appeal on this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not due to herbicide exposure or any other event in service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and heart disease can be decided.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.