Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand and the condition did not manifest within one year following discharge.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. N.D. for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus during specific time frames and to readjudicate the claim based on this additional information.

The Board found no evidence of a skin disorder or diabetes mellitus, type II related to service. The appellant's assertions were not supported by credible medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also raised.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since May 30, 2006. The current evaluation accurately reflects the severity of his condition as he requires oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is not eligible for survivor's benefits as an unremarried surviving spouse due to the timing and duration of her marriage to the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as a manifestation of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to evaluate complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to a need to confirm his in-country service in Vietnam. The deck logs for the USS Vesole (DD-878) will be requested to determine if he served in inland waters.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for fluctuating/blurry vision, finding that it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and granted it. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of diabetes mellitus type 2, PTSD, and schizophrenia. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy, finding insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents and no nexus between current disabilities and active service.