Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and separate evaluations for his diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension and diabetic neuropathy was granted, but the Board found that a separate disability rating of 10 percent is warranted for his hypertension. The diabetes itself remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all of her service treatment records and determining if she was exposed to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice, and the VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by service-connected type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the feet was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus with kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicides. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and pes planus are granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his active duty service and/or presumed exposure to herbicides. He also contends that his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy which renders him legally blind, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and impotence were pre-existing conditions that became manifest during service. The effective date for these benefits is set at August 17, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing officer's absence, and the Veteran wishes another hearing before a current Veterans Law Judge.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his service, which would allow for a determination on his claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds no evidence of herbicide exposure in Alaska. Service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a groin/low back strain, right foot disorder, left hip disorder, upper respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus, Type II, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board found that the claimant's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during his active duty for training (ADT) and thus, it was not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his in-service exposure to solvents and paints and his current condition. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability.,DIC benefits were denied as the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability (CAD), and migraine headaches are all found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse. The musculoskeletal disabilities are also found to be related to the service-connected PTSD.