Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as presumptively incurred in service due to Agent Orange exposure. The squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and any other respiratory conditions are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, peripheral neuropathy, onychomycosis (claimed as jungle rot), residuals of right knee injury, and fibromas.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on being bedridden, housebound, or in need of aid and attendance of another due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA examinations did not adequately address his overall combined impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left leg amputation, and prostate disorder as they were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a reevaluation of his right knee disability and issuance of a Statement of the Case on service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, reopening of claims, and rating assignments. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and headaches were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 10% effective October 12, 2006. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and coronary artery disease. The Board has determined that additional development of the record is necessary.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability previously characterized as a back strain and granted service connection. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and vision disability are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not have onset during his active service and is not etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran has never had retinopathy of either eye.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires the use of insulin and a restricted diet, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his disability picture does not warrant one.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed as this matter is moot due to the RO's award of service connection in an August 2012 rating decision. The remaining claims on appeal are addressed in the remand following the order.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus are found to be related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or hypertension that is related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure and grants the claim, given the presumption of service incurrence based on Vietnam-era service and presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The residuals of a chest injury are also not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cerebral infarction on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's service records show he served in Vietnam during the relevant time period.