Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, and leukocytosis due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during his military service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or near the Korean DMZ, nor was he exposed to Agent Orange as alleged.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and a TDIU rating related to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the conditions did not manifest within one year post-service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and depression, as well as PTSD. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to exposure to herbicides. Both conditions are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the referral of other claims and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are associated with exposure to Agent Orange during service. As such, these conditions meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet and treatment with insulin and hypoglycemic agents, warranting his current 20 percent rating. However, the Veteran does not require regulation of activities as part of medical management of his diabetes.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions and the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicide agents within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not apply for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance within two years of receiving notification of his service connection. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran was mentally incompetent at any time relevant to this claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and granted it on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is causally related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a recent decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) in Tagupa v. McDonald, requiring verification of service from the United States Department of the Army.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD caused or contributed to his death. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been reopened.,Secondary service connection is granted as these conditions are complications of his now service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and malignant melanoma, both linked to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.