Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent since November 18, 2004. His erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding it secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right upper jaw disorder, right eye iridocyclitis, bilateral cataracts and glaucoma, and thyroid disorder are not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure basis. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is found to be at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial disability evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, currently rated as 20 percent disabling, has been denied. The evidence shows that the Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require limitation or regulation of activities. His erectile dysfunction does not result in penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to Agent Orange exposure has been dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus were denied as these conditions are not considered qualifying chronic disabilities that cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnoses.,Service connection was granted for tension headaches, which had its onset in service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to the service-connected appendectomy scar.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine the nature of the Veteran's service in February 1992 and to ensure that all records are obtained, including those from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment status and financial income throughout the appeal period, as well as a determination of whether he meets the income eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was received on October 22, 2007. The effective date of the award is set at October 22, 2007.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in active service. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and therefore the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded due to the need for an in-person or video conference Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clinical records from a private orthopedic physician and scheduling an examination of the Veteran's left heel spurs. The claims will be readjudicated based on the new evidence and information.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was related to his service-connected hypertension, which contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of service records and to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is related to his military service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II remain on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes and CVA with hemiparesis are currently rated at the lowest available levels, and there is no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.