Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and his hearing acuity was not shown to be worse than Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, presumed due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), was granted. Service connection for gout of the right great toe was also granted with an initial non-compensable rating, which has since been increased to 20 percent effective October 24, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to outdated medical records and an inadequate examination. Updated VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required to assess his disabilities and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature of his diabetes mellitus and skin cancer diagnoses, and determine if he is entitled to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence exists to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric condition. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and determine the nature and etiology of any existing psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy requires regulation of activities due to its uncontrolled nature, which renders impractical the application of the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the Veteran's activities are regulated as part of the medically prescribed treatment for his diabetes pathology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's skin rash, diagnosed as diabetic dermopathy with advanced necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum bilaterally, is due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and thus the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory conditions (asthma and emphysema), and joint problems were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was previously rated at 20 percent prior to May 19, 2010, is not manifested by regulation of activities or use of insulin for the period from May 19, 2010. Therefore, a higher rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from Dr. I.D., and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability between June 20, 2002 and July 11, 2005.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or enlarged prostate disorder during service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are not linked to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, diagnosed as BPH, diabetes mellitus type 2, and chloracne are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. As such, a 40 percent rating is granted for his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (claimed as tingling of the hands and feet), sexual impotence, and recurring increases in blood sugar levels were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not caused by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his condition is controlled with insulin and a restricted diet without requiring regulation of activities, episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.