Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 was reopened and granted based on exposure to herbicides in service. Service connection is also granted for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type 2, but not for peripheral neuropathy or a bilateral eye disorder. The claim for renal insufficiency remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant SSA documents. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disorders.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes that he claims was caused by improper prescription of Zyprexa (Olanzapine) at VA facilities, including the St. Louis VAMC. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from June to September 2002. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected and denied his claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, and Pseudomonas infections. The decision finds that the appellant's cystic fibrosis is a congenital condition that pre-existed his military service but was aggravated by in-service events, warranting service connection. For diabetes mellitus and Pseudomonas infections, which are secondary to cystic fibrosis, service connection has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hearing loss, amputation of the right index finger, diabetes mellitus type II with renal insufficiency, erectile dysfunction, and scar from CABG, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability is found to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, while the service-connected diabetes mellitus is considered the cause of his bilateral foot numbness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy has been rated at 10 percent since March 2003. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on visual acuity or field vision impairment.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral leg disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current bilateral hip disability.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes, heart disability, or psychiatric condition during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that hypertension did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to service. It was also determined that it may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy; and chronic skin disease are denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denies service connection for sleep apnea secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.