Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic manifestations (peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, erectile dysfunction), has been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, should be April 8, 2005. The Veteran's claim was not based on a presumption or exposure basis and did not involve any issues related to service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, vertigo, and heat stroke as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The current diagnoses are not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and that exposure to ionizing radiation did not cause his condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both of which are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for these conditions on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's service records indicate he served in the Republic of Vietnam and was presumed exposed to Agent Orange. He has a current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be etiologically related to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not pending at the time of his death. The issue of whether the cause of death (diabetes mellitus) is related to service remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his current peripheral neuropathy, thus granting service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board finds his disability picture meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to new evidence submitted. The claims are granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy to his service-connected nephritic syndrome, or to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is not related to her military service, and thus denies her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined with his education and occupational experience, do not preclude him from participating in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.