Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II substantially contributed to his cause of death, which was listed as cardiovascular collapse and septic shock. As a result, the Board finds that burial benefits are warranted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not manifested by more than moderately severe incomplete paralysis, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or aggravated by renal disease.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right eye injury residuals did not aggravate his service-connected diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and that his current right eye disability manifested by a traumatic cataract and angle recession glaucoma is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The left eye disability has also been determined to be not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability, and his employability is precluded due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for multiple service-connected disabilities has now reached 100 percent, rendering moot his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's current renal disease is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder. For diabetes mellitus, the claim was based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The psychiatric disorder claim did not involve any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including asthma, diabetes mellitus, right elbow disability, numbness in the feet, and left knee disability have been granted. The Veteran also has a 10 percent rating assigned for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing and will schedule one on his behalf.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the claims for lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was withdrawn prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have manifested during service due to his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) secondary to diabetes mellitus were granted with effective dates of September 29, 2003.,An earlier effective date of August 1998 was denied as the claim was not filed prior to September 29, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed vision disorder or pancreatic disorder other than diabetes mellitus, nor did the medical evidence support a link between his maxillary fibroma and these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's service in or near Vietnam, and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The claims for heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus needs further development due to outstanding private treatment records.