Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II permanently aggravated his peripheral neuropathy, which is now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary with respect to the issue on appeal, which involves a claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset in service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, claimed as high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is incompetent for VA purposes due to her multiple disabilities, including Alzheimer's Disease and blindness.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the case as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his hypertension and hypothyroidism secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, as well as his postoperative residuals of prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected diabetic retinopathy warrants a noncompensable disability rating prior to June 9, 2009. As of June 9, 2009, the VA has granted a compensable (10%) disability rating for his diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current right ear hearing loss disability related to service exposure, but does not have left ear hearing loss or diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for vision problems, which he contends are due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to afford the Veteran an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the disability at issue.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have its onset in service and has been continuously present since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, which requires insulin use, restricted diet, and regulation of physical activities. The criteria for a higher rating (60 or 100 percent) have not been met as there are no episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability and the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to the Board's request for clarification regarding whether he still wishes to pursue any issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes and renal disease were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.,Service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left shoulder has been granted with an effective date of April 12, 2000.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, CAD, and hypertension were not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.