Diabetes Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet are being remanded due to outstanding service personnel records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are presumed to be related to his military service due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have hypothyroidism or retinopathy as a result of his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, is currently rated at 40 percent. This meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction due to diabetes mellitus) was not principally or contributorily caused by a service-connected condition, specifically his bilateral blindness. The VHA specialist concluded that there is no way to assess the quantitative contribution of the stress from blindness to his cardiac condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by direct evidence showing the onset of these conditions during or shortly after his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2005. The claim for increased initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in service records and issues regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus was found to require the use of insulin and a restricted diet prior to August 10, 2009. The Board granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Jabbour.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted, with the diabetes receiving a 20 percent evaluation. The hypertension has not received any separate evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on his employability given his service-connected disabilities and level of education.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension. The case must be remanded to obtain additional development including obtaining the Veteran's Air National Guard service records and updated treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy with chronic prostatitis was previously denied, but new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of wisdom teeth, tinnitus, vision loss, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service personnel records and determine if he served in Vietnam or on the U.S.S. Vancouver during the relevant time period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA mental disorders examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, an increased initial rating for depressive disorder, and entitlement to TDIU remain inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension and right shoulder disorder are denied. Diabetes mellitus, type II was granted a 10% rating from May 10, 2004 to May 21, 2007, and a 20% rating effective May 22, 2007.