Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a pneumovax shot resulting in COPD and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the vaccine.

The Board found no evidence of current diabetes mellitus or any other disability manifested by hypoglycemia, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus developed within one year of his separation from service and is therefore presumed to be related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and coronary atherosclerosis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The combined rating for these conditions is 40 percent.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, including its relationship to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA and private physicians. The Veteran may also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board is requesting additional VA records from Guam and will consider the claims again after receiving these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active military service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and is not related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam, nor does he have evidence of inland waterway service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and a skin rash. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange, and the veteran's current disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied service connection as there was no direct link between his claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus existed prior to his enlistment for active service in December 2004 and was not aggravated during his second period of active service. The VA examiner concluded that the progression of the Veteran's diabetes would have been the same whether he was in service or in civilian life, with damage done by past non-compliance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims is related to his exposure to contaminated water during service. The Board has requested a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for ostomy due to chronic ulcerative colitis, secondary to PTSD with dysthymic disorder, is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's treatment regimen did not require regulation of activities due to his diabetes, and thus a higher rating is not warranted.