Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and whether his death was related to service-connected conditions or other causes. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and jungle rot were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for PTSD or hearing loss.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent since June 19, 2012. The rating has been granted for a higher disability level.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, neck cancer (secondary to prostate cancer), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury, exposure to herbicides, or current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video or travel board hearing. The issues include service connection for various conditions secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying potential herbicide exposure and obtaining an opinion regarding a left foot skin disability.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (cardiorespiratory arrest due to astrocytoma) was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The diabetes mellitus, type II, which is presumed to have been incurred in service, did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional examinations and consideration due to concerns about the adequacy of previous evaluations, particularly regarding need for aid and attendance and loss of use of limbs.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Air Reserve Personnel Center and ensuring compliance with previous directives. The appeal will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with xerosis and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the disability does not require insulin or hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is granted, with the condition presumed due to herbicide exposure in Korea and at Camp Casey.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and the need to issue supplemental statements of the case on new issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for an increased evaluation has been granted. The Veteran also meets criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not shown to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided the case needs further development due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.