Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise, supporting the Veteran's claim that he was exposed to Agent Orange and other biological and chemical agents during active service at Dugway Proving Grounds. The diabetes mellitus type II is related to this exposure, as are the peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for macular degeneration that he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with mild retinopathy of the left eye. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and a need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his exposure to herbicides and noise exposure during service. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily functions or protect himself from hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing sedentary employment, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which requires a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agent, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as his activities have not been regulated due to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, but is remanding the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to conflicting evidence and lack of a clear effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to the need for updated medical records and an opinion regarding his ability to follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to address his prostate cancer claim and obtain additional VA treatment records. The RO will also provide an examination to determine if he can work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted for the period prior to June 6, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's internal/gastrointestinal bleeding is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and was caused by his alcohol abuse, specifically chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, and varices. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and osteomyelitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or active infection within the past five years.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for diabetes.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic melanoma, which is presumed due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. His diabetes mellitus, also presumptively related to service, contributed as a contributory cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to his period of service, including cold exposure or a proximately caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral defective hearing, inner ear disorder, disorders of the legs and hands, gynecomastia with residual scar, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with compression fracture of the thoracic spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right great toe has been denied. The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of higher evaluation for gynecomastia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to verify the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The claims will be reconsidered with this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.