Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the potential pre-service onset of his psychiatric condition and the relationship between his schizophrenia and diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure during active service, and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to such exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities (chronic low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy) meeting the schedular criteria as of June 3, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, visual disorder, and recurrent urinary urgency were not incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and residuals of a back injury are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim of service connection for the residuals of a right great toe infection (claimed as gout) has been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the appellant's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and right upper extremity neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions (arthritis, hypertension, gout, carotid stenosis, and DM) are not related to his service-connected pyelonephritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his employability prior to August 29, 2007. The VA must obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, is rated at 20 percent since May 16, 2007. The Board denied the issues of service connection for hypertension and separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right and left thighs have resulted in moderate muscle damage/impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), high blood pressure (due to diabetes mellitus), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus attributable to active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anatomical loss of the left eye and cataract in the right eye, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, his claim for a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by esophageal varices due to liver disease, but the Board is remanding for an opinion on whether diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease contributed to or caused his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both related to Agent Orange exposure, are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been managed with restricted diet and insulin injections, but does not require hospitalization or restriction of strenuous activities. The current rating is appropriate.