Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. The other claims are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiorespiratory arrest due to bilateral pneumonia, with diabetes mellitus as a significant condition. The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted because his diabetes mellitus was present in service and contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes or hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes and hypertension were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The appellant is recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse and thus eligible for DIC benefits.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal for death pension benefits, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Munroe Regional Medical Center on April 5, 2013 is granted. The Board found that the emergency treatment was necessary due to severe pain and bleeding from rectum caused by constipation.

The Veteran's death was not deemed to be service-connected, and the appellant did not apply for SDVI/RH insurance within two years of receiving notification of his VA rating. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran was mentally incompetent from a service-connected disability at any relevant point in time.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an appropriate VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was denied by the Board. The appeal is based on complications and additional conditions related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 17, 1999 through January 4, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and atopic dermatitis have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the rib cage has not resulted in any symptoms or impairment during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy involving each lower extremity is currently rated as moderate and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for TDIU, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus based on herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the earliest available effective date is February 11, 2013, as this was the date the claim was received.

The Veteran's skin condition, claimed as Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and/or chloracne, is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board grants the claim for service connection on this basis.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA examinations and the need to obtain medical records. The appellant's claims for service connection and increased rating are currently pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, bilateral cataracts remain at 10 percent, and headaches are rated as non-compensable.