Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions of hypertension and renal failure has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed, and he has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disease as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and review of his service-connected conditions, specifically glaucoma in the left eye and diabetes with retinopathy in the right eye. The issue at hand is whether he needs aid and attendance due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not the result of herbicide exposure and sun exposure during service. The RO granted service connection for this disability. Other issues remain pending in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no prior claim or indication of intent to file a claim before the respective effective dates.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, and the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart condition to specifically include coronary artery disease; hypertension; and glaucoma are not supported by evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that a 40 percent evaluation, but no more, is warranted for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus, type II with minimal background diabetic retinopathy has been granted. He is currently rated at 40 percent prior to February 4, 2010 and the Board finds that this rating is warranted based on regulation of activities in addition to insulin and restricted diet.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for congestive heart failure as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board found that the Veteran's March 2006 notice of disagreement was not timely, and thus denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a neck condition, and a back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to both feet, blood vessel damage, and arthritis of both feet as secondary to diabetes mellitus or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received since a previous denial.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and associated complications, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to manage his insulin pump and administer insulin.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran had qualifying service in Vietnam for the purpose of the herbicide presumption, and thus granted service connection for his type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis. However, further development is needed as neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cardiac disorder have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the right upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 30 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the left upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand is necessary due to insufficient opinions provided in previous examinations.