Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to obtain a complete copy of his VA treatment records. The claims for service connection for hypertension, increased rating for DMII, and compensable hearing loss are all pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings, finding that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred was March 10, 2007.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of the right eye have been rated as part of his service-connected diabetes. The initial ratings assigned are not higher than what is currently warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's death was attributed to chronic depression, which the appellant claims was service-connected. However, there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO/AMC must also seek and obtain any relevant treatment records from private providers.

The Board found conflicting medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, as both conditions were diagnosed around the same time in 1997.

The Veteran died of cardiac arrest due to end-stage renal disease and diabetes mellitus, conditions not related to his service-connected GSW residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's unit records and confirming herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his diabetes mellitus may have onset during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus during service and there is no competent credible evidence of its onset or etiology related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides near the Korean DMZ, and the Board finds that he was exposed during service. As such, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and reopening of previously denied claims were all denied by the Board. The Veteran was granted a rating for tinnitus but not for hearing loss or other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his Hepatitis C and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis C and a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU have been referred to the RO.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic rectal cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the cancer or its causes to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and traumatic amputation of the fingers, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.