Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's SMC claim for need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities has been denied as there is no evidence showing he requires such assistance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability was granted, but the condition is not considered secondary to any service-connected disability. The maximum schedular rating of 10% has been assigned for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain National Guard service records and determine if the claimed conditions are related to in-service chemical exposure. The AMC/RO will also attempt to confirm the dates of the Veteran's National Guard service, including any periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension, but has remanded his claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further verification of the Veteran's periods of service, including any potential federalized service in February 1992. The claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective January 23, 2007. Service connection was also established for hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the same date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including as due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not related to his military service. The respiratory disorder, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be less likely than not related to his military service. The vision disorder is also found to be less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a heart disability and whether it is related to his in-service syphilis infection. The issues of PTSD and gallbladder condition are referred to the RO.

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

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran served in Vietnam and claims his diabetes is related to this exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to herbicide exposure and for a heart condition; hypertension; numbness of the fingers, forearm, hands, and lips; impotence; stomach problems; foot problems; glaucoma; and dental problems, each as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no evidence of actual duty or visitation in Vietnam and thus did not establish herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and has also granted the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that his diabetes required a restricted diet but not insulin or other medications.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2011.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board found no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.