Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service, and the current condition is not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus, due to a lack of a VA examination or opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting medical opinions regarding his diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have hepatitis and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board finds that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has granted the request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for a disorder of the skin of the lower legs.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 1, 2009 and increased to 70 percent effective December 1, 2009. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus was denied, but the Board granted service connection for bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The decision also found that there is no basis for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus Type 2 and its complications. The issue of TDIU will also be considered.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to conflicting medical records regarding the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The case will be readjudicated after a VA examination is conducted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and will reassess his claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part in furnishing medical treatment.,VA did not provide evidence showing that the cortisone injection caused an increase in blood sugar level and contributed substantially or materially to cause death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and multiple orthopedic conditions, result in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Veteran is currently employed full-time as a security officer and has been so employed throughout the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants service connection for this condition.