Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 did not cause restriction of activities or hospitalizations for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions prior to April 23, 2014. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service and thus could not establish a claim for service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were denied as there was no evidence of such diseases being related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease are granted as they are presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides. The claim will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran died of multiple conditions, none of which were service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the cause of death to any in-service event or condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and COPD, which may be related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that remand is necessary to verify potential herbicide exposure in Korea and obtain VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myelogenous leukemia, but the Board finds that his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus had a material influence in accelerating his death. Therefore, the cause of his death is considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current blindness, claimed as macular degeneration, and diabetes mellitus, type II did not have its onset in active service or for many years thereafter, nor is it causally related to active service. As such, the claims of service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment is granted due to his service-connected disabilities resulting from a stroke.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and sarcoidosis, as well as the attribution of his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's VA treatment with valproic acid and his claimed disabilities, nor any fault on the part of VA. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer contributed substantially or materially to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma. Additional records are needed from the Veteran's hospital stay at Riverview Regional Medical Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing records and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, alone, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.