Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, and Pseudomonas infections. The decision finds that the appellant's cystic fibrosis is a congenital condition that pre-existed his military service but was aggravated by in-service events, warranting service connection. For diabetes mellitus and Pseudomonas infections, which are secondary to cystic fibrosis, service connection has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hearing loss, amputation of the right index finger, diabetes mellitus type II with renal insufficiency, erectile dysfunction, and scar from CABG, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability is found to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, while the service-connected diabetes mellitus is considered the cause of his bilateral foot numbness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy has been rated at 10 percent since March 2003. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on visual acuity or field vision impairment.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral leg disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current bilateral hip disability.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes, heart disability, or psychiatric condition during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that hypertension did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to service. It was also determined that it may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy; and chronic skin disease are denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denies service connection for sleep apnea secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not develop as a result of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted a 30% rating effective from January 7, 2008. The Board also addressed the issue of increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and granted a 50% rating effective from April 25, 2011.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his adult-onset diabetes mellitus and dermatitis of the left hand did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and pilonidal cystectomy were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions required regulation of activities or necessitated hospitalizations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore meets the presumptive criteria for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with bilateral cataracts and hypertension, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.