Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities for which he can be granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied. The Board found no current disabilities to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were denied. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's presence in Vietnam during May and June 1968, including his role in accompanying his friend's body home, establishes exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted based on this presumption.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or any other location where herbicide exposure is presumed, and thus could not establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's death due to gastric carcinoma was not etiologically linked to his service or any incidents therein or his service-connected disabilities. The basic criteria for entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II has been dismissed as the claim was withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and bilateral upper extremity diabetic polyneuropathy have been granted. The claim for service connection for a mouth disorder remains denied. An effective date prior to December 5, 2006 has been granted for the award of service connection for back, neck, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a secondary service connection opinion for sleep apnea and issuing a statement of the case regarding his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its complications, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has required insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The criteria for a higher (compensable) rating have not been met.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) during his service in Korea, near the DMZ. The Board granted this claim on a presumptive basis.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, or caused or aggravated by service-connected disability. The claim for a visual disability is also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating from August 13, 2009, due to his service-connected disabilities, which include diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, mood disorder, is found to be related to service. Her diabetes type I and bilateral foot disorder are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and therefore his exposure to herbicides is conceded, allowing him to benefit from the presumption of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy warrants an initial compensable (at least 10 percent) disability rating throughout the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings have been granted.