Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that no valid informal or formal claim was submitted prior to October 14, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable due to his coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus are all found to be related to service, with a presumption of exposure due to Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was multi-system organ failure, sepsis, myocardial infarction, end-stage renal disease, with significant contributing conditions of diabetes and congestive heart failure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have service-connected disabilities during his lifetime, nor were his death-causing conditions related to service or otherwise due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's DM type II has been rated at 20 percent, and the RO granted separate compensable ratings for diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities. The RO also granted a 10 percent rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity and denied an increased rating for diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II or compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are inextricably intertwined with the erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus began during service and is related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and tinea pedis on groin, arms, torso and hands are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in service. If confirmed, a VA examiner will provide an opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of these conditions based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in a unit located near the Korean DMZ and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus type II with bilateral cataracts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service and his erectile dysfunction is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and diabetes mellitus, type I. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered sufficient to establish service connection as his conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted as of September 22, 2011. The SMC will be at the aid and attendance rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The current effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated in service.,There is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. However, this decision is vacated due to an error in interpretation of evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is manifested by no more than the required use of and oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet without regulation of activities. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for an examination and etiology opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his period of service or is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as well as whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran also requested a hearing on this issue.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection of neuropathy of the upper extremities, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and retinopathy were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.