Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's suicide was due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, such that he was unable to resist such impulse. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including jaw injury, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, tuberculosis with shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting, weight loss, and eye disability. The decisions are based on a finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that diabetes mellitus did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident during active service, and the acquired psychiatric disorder did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, is not related to any incident during active service and is not directly related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular disability, and diabetic retinopathy, all presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran died due to an acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The VA did not provide any fault in the care provided, as evidenced by a VA opinion that found no evidence of negligence or error on their part.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria, a respiratory disorder, a cervical spine disorder, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, right and left eye disorders, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain, bilateral knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and CAD due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding herbicide exposure have not been supported by relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after addressing the pending increased ratings claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's increased rating claim for schizophrenia is also granted, with referral to the Director of Compensation & Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to improper development of his herbicide exposure in Thailand. Additional efforts are required to verify the Veteran's alleged flight and stop in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction does not require insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is etiologically related to his service, and hypertension with hypertensive renal insufficiency was incurred in active service. The claim for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it does not constitute a disease or disability for which VA benefits can be granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was incurred during his military service, as evidenced by his self-reported exposure to DDT and the subsequent development of the condition many years after service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking the fatal conditions to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Meniere's syndrome, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and no higher.,High cholesterol, a laboratory finding, cannot be service connected.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty for training. The skin disorder and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II with impotency, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during active service. The Board has granted this claim. No specific rating or effective date was assigned as the issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disorder remains pending.