Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied her claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings, finding that no intent to file a claim existed prior to December 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and melanoma were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals, and the conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, and sleep apnea are remanded due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not demonstrate regulation of activities to manage the diabetes.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis, but diabetes is not listed as a contributing cause. The Board finds that the service-connected conditions did not substantially contribute to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic sensory neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and toenail fungus as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,These conditions are now considered service connected due to their being complications of the Veteran's primary condition (diabetes mellitus type II).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that his current Type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Huntington for a Board videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for skin cancer, skin disability, type II diabetes, neuropathy, and kidney disease are pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremeties, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim is reopened.,The Veteran also seeks an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for the full-dollar rate of DIC benefits due to her residence in the Philippines, and her service was with the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines. The Appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's diabetes mellitus onset and relationship to active duty or ACDUTRA, including obtaining medical records from his private physician Dr. D.N. and providing an addendum opinion by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as of July 14, 2009. His combined disability rating is 80 percent with consideration of the bilateral factor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, skin disorder, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The issues were not fully addressed as some of them are related to existing conditions or have been previously adjudicated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no medical evidence to support a link between his in-service triglyceride levels and his current diagnosis of diabetes. The earliest documented manifestation of diabetes was in 2007, several years after separation from service.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify whether the Veteran's diabetes is caused or aggravated by his service-connected depression, based on studies cited by his attorney.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was found to have onset in service or within one year of discharge. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical records and a need for clarification regarding service connection for an eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.