Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type I Diabetes Mellitus, which is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to (or as a consequence of) small cell lung cancer. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes, PTSD, and MDD contributed materially to his cause of death.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could potentially establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 6, 2012 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 has been granted. The earliest date of a pending claim was April 25, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements, and there are no exceptional or unusual factors that would render application of the schedule impractical. The VA examinations and SSA evaluations indicate that the Veteran is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a right foot disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current right foot condition is less likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of diabetic retinopathy and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated separately for each affected extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent from September 28, 2007. His claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to hypertension and diabetes mellitus, is attributable to his active duty service. The Board finds that hypertension began during service and contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that new and material evidence (the Veteran's service personnel records) related to her unestablished fact necessary to substantiate her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and therefore, her claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's leg cramps are service-connected. The remaining claims for high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and back disability are being remanded.,High cholesterol is not a recognized disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted an increased rating to 20 percent. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral cataracts, and erectile dysfunction were also granted as secondary to his diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and shell fragment wound disabilities due to the lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, with diabetic retinopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing that he filed a claim prior to April 30, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and no direct link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms since separation from service, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a medical nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with cataracts and retinopathy was denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the Veteran's disability, as he does not require regulation of his activities due to diabetes.