Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional treatment records. The case must be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, to include as due to exposure to herbicides, is denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty service and the diabetes was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to consider these issues on the merits and address any inextricably intertwined claim of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, a right knee condition, or a right shoulder condition. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board also dismissed the appeals of his claims for increased ratings for left ankle Achilles tendon trauma, right knee strain, and left knee strain.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been rated at the minimum levels allowed by regulation, with no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which contributed to his strokes and left him wheelchair-bound, was a substantial cause of his death in a house fire due to asphyxiation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus, and has granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 30 percent. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify when the Veteran was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and whether his chronic renal insufficiency is related to his service-connected diabetes. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service records and medical treatment records, as well as to clarify his claims for prostate cancer. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, due to exposure to herbicide (Agent Orange) is denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service exposure and the disease did not manifest within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD with depression, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding her exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral restless leg syndrome due to nerve damage, and arthritic thoracolumbar spine with severe degeneration are granted based on diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to service, either directly or secondary to his service-connected asthma. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is well-controlled and does not require regulation of activities. The service-connected erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.