Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a TDIU were denied due to her failure to report for VA medical examinations scheduled in conjunction with her original or reopened claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his diabetes, which in turn caused diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. As such, both conditions are granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and anxiety/depressive disorder. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 was not incurred during active service or within the first post-service year. The Board found that the diagnosis of diabetes occurred prior to any period of active duty for training and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disorders are not etiologically related to his active service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not manifest during his military service and is not otherwise attributable to his active service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; a right shoulder disability; bilateral hearing loss; degenerative disc disease; and hypertension from appellate status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, and therefore a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and tinea versicolor due to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, as well as his claim for an increased disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and folliculitis of the scalp. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or due to herbicide exposure.

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.