Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the current VA examination report does not contain sufficient detail.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by his military service. The Board also noted that he had other service-connected conditions such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides and no in-service or post-service diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic retinopathy was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent for exertional headaches. The adjustment disorder remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA physician's opinion on whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death and whether DIC is warranted under certain provisions. The appellant must take no action unless notified otherwise.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating. His peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also rated at 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and has granted this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further clarification of his diabetes symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hyperosmolar coma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin, a restricted diet, and oral hypoglycemic agents but does not require regulation of activities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or visits to a diabetic care provider. As for hyperosmolar coma, there is no evidence showing it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his left wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, eczematous dermatitis at staged ratings of 10 and 30 percent, malaria is not compensable, and PTSD warrants a TDIU effective November 12, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of peripheral neuropathy remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus type II, tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal re-entry, and degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any other compensable exposure.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin.

The Veteran's appeal of the ratings for his diabetes mellitus and hearing loss is addressed in a separate remand. The effective date claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been denied as the evidence does not show that his diabetes requires regulation of activities to control.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after the development.