Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing due to lack of compliance with a prior remand. The issue remains on appeal regarding service connection for ocular manifestations secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent since October 20, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated during service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder of the feet, a rectal disorder, GERD, and prostate disorder. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, are granted. The claim for hypertension is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service. The cause of death claim is also denied due to lack of evidence connecting the Veteran's death to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy and posttraumatic stress disorder, have resulted in a permanent and total disability rating. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities affecting both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is directly related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to ischemic heart disease, hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure and diabetes. However, there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left BKA; impotence; and poor circulation of the right foot. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed due to herbicide exposure, which supports his claim for diabetes mellitus. His left BKA and related conditions are also service connected as they are secondary to his diabetes. Impotence and poor circulation of the right foot are also service connected.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of death, but further medical opinion is needed to determine if yellow fever or other conditions during service caused or contributed to cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, resulting in diabetes mellitus and other conditions, is considered to have been incurred due to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to type II diabetes mellitus, which was found to be a significant contributing cause. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides in service and the presumptions outlined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) apply.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus was not related to his active service and the Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The current disability rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.