Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and back disorder. The Board finds there are issues regarding exposure to herbicides but the required evidentiary development procedures have not been followed. Additional medical records are needed and a supplemental opinion on whether congenital lumbar stenosis was aggravated by superimposed disease or injury is also needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending claims for service connection, which are necessary to decide the hypertension and TDIU claims.

The Board has found that a rationale for the opinion rendered is inadequate and thus requires a new VA medical opinion to determine if the service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, combined with his death, or aided in producing it.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with nephropathy was granted an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes. However, service connection for conjunctivitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications, were denied as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, vertigo, and memory loss. His combined nonservice-connected disability rating for pension purposes is 90 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding private treatment records. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is being considered based on presumed exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD. Specifically, VA must obtain records of any treatment received outside of VA, verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand during his Vietnam-era service, and provide a VA examination to assess the etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective January 7, 2010. His tinnitus remains at a maximum of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he asserts is due to herbicide exposure, was denied as there is no credible evidence of such exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and therefore cannot establish direct service connection. For pension purposes, the Veteran's claim remains pending as additional records are needed.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is denied as he did not serve during a period of war and thus does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus, vision problems, and headaches. Headaches were found to have had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound were received by the RO after his death, but prior to the issuance of a final decision. As such, these claims are not considered pending at the time of his death.

The Veteran's spouse is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits as of March 31, 2009, due to the Veteran being permanently and totally disabled from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or post-service. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and actinic keratoses, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic skin condition during service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology after service to establish service connection.