Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Veteran has variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, the symptoms of which are related to his active service, but already considered part of his service-connected PTSD and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic colon cancer, which is not service-connected. His diabetes mellitus did not cause his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy have been rated as appropriate under the applicable diagnostic codes. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, and his unemployability claim for compensation purposes is also under consideration. The case will be remanded to determine if the Agent Orange exposure at Ubon Thailand contributed to his fatal conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has been found to be at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires medication and a restricted diet, but no regulation of activities. The disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The RO denied service connection for diabetes mellitus in August 2004, finding no evidence of diagnosis or occurrence during active duty. The Veteran's claim to reopen was not considered timely.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 3, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have confirmed service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and leiomyosarcoma are not related to his military service, including any alleged herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred during service and is not related to any incident of his service, including a service-connected disability. The Board therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain complete articles and another VA opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and whether his hypertension and erectile dysfunction are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam, and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The VA will also obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and tobacco use disorder.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, including whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II or posttraumatic stress disorder. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims. The issues remaining for adjudication are limited to those listed on the Title Page.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus is rated at 40 percent since October 19, 2012, due to the need for regulation of activities in addition to insulin and a restricted diet.