Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service connected. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or manifestations of peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities, as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes and narrow angle glaucoma associated with diabetes have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were granted, with the grant of service connection for multiple diagnosed eye conditions resulting in a 70% disability rating. The Veteran was also awarded compensation based on his need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The examiner will also provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in or due to active service, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver failure, which the VA examiner determined was not related to his service-connected diabetes. The Board found no evidence linking any service-connected condition to the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam or had chronic symptoms related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected as his condition does not meet the diagnostic criteria for a disease or disability under VA compensation guidelines. The Board finds that he did not have a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus at any point during or after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no fault on VA's part in causing or contributing to these disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and 10 percent for hypertension, with no combined rating exceeding 30%.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposure claims, but the VA has not verified his exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including service connection evaluations and a determination of the functional impairment resulting from her bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; hepatitis C; and diabetes mellitus. The Board found no probative value in the Veteran's allegations of an in-service injury that resulted in chronic disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to Agent Orange exposure. The hypertension claim is also denied as it did not develop within one year of discharge and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus on a direct basis, finding that there is no evidence to support the claim and the preponderance of the evidence is against it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the disease did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that direct service connection could not be established due to lack of medical records showing a diagnosis or treatment related to diabetes during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and right knee disability was denied. The Board found that DM did not manifest during service, within one year of service, or is attributable to service exposure to herbicides. For the right knee issue, the Board noted insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.