Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC at the 'o' level due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cardiac disorder, diabetes mellitus, and COPD as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands are denied. The Board found no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or VA treatment, including chemotherapy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 6, 2008 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is denied. The criteria for such a retroactive effective date have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is caused by her service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to the inability to verify his Vietnam-era service and exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy in service, and the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) was denied as there is no verified stressor consistent with his active service. Coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's kidney disability, which resulted in end-stage kidney failure, was rated at 60 percent from April 30, 2004 to April 8, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pancreatitis aggravated his currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on the basis of exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for this condition and assigned a 60% disability rating. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities based on presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure in Korea, was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy has not been shown to warrant a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform most daily activities without assistance.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for fatigue, joint pain with muscle aches (other than disability of the bilateral ankles), and sleep apnea due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence received since the September 1997 rating decision raises a reasonable probability of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, left leg amputation, depression and hypertension on the basis that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service. The Veteran's death certificate did not list any cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, left shoulder bursitis, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his active duty and these conditions. The Board also found that he did not have any inservice exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, congestive heart failure with pacemaker and stent, and diabetes mellitus will be reviewed in light of this new evidence.