Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a more contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU but his service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hypertension, BPH, colon cancer and bowel obstruction, or diabetes mellitus that is attributable to active service, including exposure to herbicides in service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for renal dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active military service or VA treatment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in active military service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vision loss secondary to diabetes mellitus are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has diabetes mellitus type II, which is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's diabetes required insulin and restricted diet, but not regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is asked to provide more details about the incident and VA will attempt to verify if herbicides were stored or transported on board the MOUNT HOOD during his service.

The Veteran died from a service-connected condition, and the appellant is eligible for dependents' educational assistance benefits. The effective date of eligibility has been determined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing issue, and the Veteran is entitled to a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, which were aggravated by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been managed by oral medication and does not require insulin or regulation of activities. His IVDS of the lumbar spine continues to be rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities; diabetes mellitus; hypertension; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and veneral disease claimed as syphilis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for service connection for congenital hemivertebral scoliosis and a developmental shoulder abnormality was denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea are being remanded to the RO for additional development of his medical records and for VA examinations.