Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examination and evidence, as well as to address the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated complications are granted due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims will be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the underlying cause of his death, which was CAD. The Board finds that this contribution is due to the aggravation of his pre-existing CAD by his PTSD.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, and Bell's palsy were not found to be service-connected. The lung disorder was denied as unrelated to asbestos exposure or any other disease in service. Diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing it during service or within the first post-service year. Bell's palsy was also denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with early nephropathy has been rated at 20 percent since May 25, 2004. The current evidence does not show the need for insulin or regulation of activities due to his diabetes.

The Veteran's prostate and bladder disorder are found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,His erectile dysfunction is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,New evidence has been presented that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for heart disorder, which may be due to Agent Orange exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus Type 2 with retinopathy, hypertension, or depression being incurred during service and denied the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus requires an oral hypoglycemic medication and a restricted diet, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claim by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, residuals of a left arm injury, and hypertension. The decision found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service events.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not require insulin or regulation of activities from January 30, 2003, to May 11, 2003, and only required a restricted diet. From May 12, 2003, he continued to use oral hypoglycemic agents but still required a restricted diet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathies, depression, and erectile dysfunction, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus is related to his period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a compensable evaluation for left adductor tendonitis remains pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence of the Veteran's presence in Vietnam, and thus he cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The claims for service connection were denied as the weight of the evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.