Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (not related to PTSD), skin disorder, and asthma have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease with typical angina episodes or diabetic nephropathy.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia/sleep disorder, it is not considered a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's sleep issues are associated with his PTSD and not due to any service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension due to service, as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection for Type II diabetes (DM) will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death and his conditions. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to metastatic melanoma and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or glaucoma being incurred in service and denied both claims. For diabetes, the Veteran did not have a current disability as it was not diagnosed until years after separation from service. For glaucoma, there is no indication that it began during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to mustard gas during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities based on such exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection either.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus either caused or aggravated his erectile dysfunction, and thus grants service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded as the current evidence does not reflect the current state of his disability. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. A separate compensable rating for urinary frequency associated with the diabetes is granted.

The Veteran was employed on a full-time basis until July 18, 2007. Therefore, his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, impotence, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of her diabetes complications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at a 20 percent level prior to October 14, 2009. As of October 14, 2009, the disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized expenses for medication for diabetes mellitus from September 15, 2005 to December 13, 2006 is granted. The criteria were met as the treatment was medically necessary and feasible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a disability manifested by temporary memory loss and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to his military service.