Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which contributed to his acute renal failure and septic shock. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes, renal failure, diabetic retinopathy, and related complications are service connected. His bipolar disorder is also service connected as secondary to his diabetes. Service connection for prostate cancer cannot be established due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus, type II, to his military service or herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, bilateral foot dermatitis/fungus (claimed as blisters on feet), Grave's disease, and blindness of the right eye were also denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. Sleep apnea was first diagnosed during active duty, and the Veteran reported symptoms such as snoring and trouble sleeping in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as he is not restricted in his activities due to this condition. Other claims for service connection and evaluations have been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities prior to September 26, 2011. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be causally related to his Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), and the claim for secondary service connection for CVA is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's end stage liver disease, which was a principal cause of his death, is service connected as it developed due to alcohol use disorder secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to dress or undress himself, take care of hygiene needs, prepare meals, manage medications, and attend to personal needs. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus type II are not service-connected, but coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred during his military service.,PTSD has resulted in current disability that warrants a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the evidence does not show that it requires insulin or regulation of activities. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for both coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides during active military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam-era exposure. Service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also granted as these conditions are related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in February 2007 and not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The RO found that the Veteran's pre-service hypertension existed prior to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted on the basis of aggravation, with a non-compensable rating as it remained at least partially disabling before service. The Veteran does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any documented exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange during his military service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (type 2 diabetes mellitus with onychomycosis of all toes on both feet, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction) is 70 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.