Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inability of NPRC and JSRRC to verify the Veteran's Vietnam service. The case is being remanded for further verification from JSRRC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral eye disorders and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. With full consideration of his educational background and occupational experience, the Board finds that the Veteran is precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II due to herbicide exposure and denied the claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by perforated duodenum, respiratory failure, lung cancer, black lung, and diabetes. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cellulitis, stroke with left hemiparesis and multi infarct dementia, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism were not present in service or related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected stomach disorder (chronic enteritis) did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with carotid artery disease was granted an initial 20 percent evaluation effective December 15, 2003.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and associated disabilities due to a liberalizing regulation adding type 2 diabetes mellitus to the list of diseases subject to presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The earliest possible effective date is July 22, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from June 9, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on impairment of visual acuity or field of vision.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran served in Okinawa, Japan, and Korea but not in Vietnam where Agent Orange exposure is presumed.

The Board found that there was no service-connected disability that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The disease processes leading to his death were not attributable to his active military service and were not caused or made worse by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and residuals of multiple cerebrovascular accidents are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service, and for further review of alternative forms of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an incomplete search of morning reports and unit rosters, as well as other records. The Veteran is asked to provide specific information about his unit assignment while in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify if he set foot in Vietnam during his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining information about his exposure to Agent Orange and any pre-existing back injury. The case will be returned for further action.