Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has granted a 40 percent initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus and found that the criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) are met for the portion of the appeal period prior to August 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has vacated the denial of service connection for diabetes and the petition to reopen the claim for muscle and joint pains. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the remaining issues due to lack of evidence supporting a skin disorder of the feet.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals seeking increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, a bilateral eye disability, and diabetic ulcer of the right foot. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as the appellant did not file within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and secondary service connection for a skin disorder to both lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service, nor is it otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diabetes was not incurred or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was a neuroendocrine tumor. The VA examiner found that the lung cancer substantially contributed to his death and diabetes mellitus, type 2, aided in the production of his death.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and increased rating for depressive disorder, NOS, as well as TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his National Guard records and SSA records. The VA compensation examination is also needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to renal cell carcinoma, which is service-connected based on in-service exposure to jet engine fuel and other contaminants. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to insufficient development, including the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability is being evaluated to determine if it requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetic nephropathy was granted in March 2010, within the two-year period before his death. However, he did not apply for RH insurance during his lifetime.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and granted a rating of 20 percent. His claim for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not diagnosed and there is no evidence linking it to service. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,Regarding diabetes, the Veteran has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes since at least 1995, which predates his separation from service in 1984. There is no evidence linking diabetes to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 8, 2001 for the grant of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus is denied as a matter of law.