Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for shortness of breath and/or chest pain, finding no current disability. The claim for gestational diabetes was also denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to resultant helplessness.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 20%, which does not meet the threshold requirement for additional compensation for a dependent spouse.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran died of myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, with diabetes mellitus and Crohn's disease contributing to death. The Board finds that none of these conditions were service-connected at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for post-surgical incisional hernia repair, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issues include rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for diabetic nephropathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities) do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that they are causally related to events during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to hepatitis C with cirrhosis, status post liver transplant. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hepatitis C condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for diabetes mellitus, knee disabilities, or hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus cannot be earlier than December 31, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his diabetes required regulation of activities, which is necessary for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's morbid obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and traumatic amputation of the left hand, are found to require regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations and mental health issues. The Board has granted an increased rate of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the disease did not manifest within one year of discharge. The Board found that the Veteran's lay statements regarding a nexus between his current disability and service were not credible.