Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an opinion on whether hypertension is aggravated by diabetes mellitus and a determination of TDIU benefits. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, alleging exposure to herbicides during his military service. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the validity of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was reopened and granted. The condition is considered to be directly related to the service-connected low back disability.,Obesity has not been found to be service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depression, rendered him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment during the period from October 23, 2008, to June 2, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA general medical examination without good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, or gastroparesis claims. His Parkinson's disease, eye disorder, and hypertension claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides and/or pesticides, has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues of service connection for back injury and diabetes mellitus, type II are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease and post traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional records related to the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides and his service in Vietnam. The Veteran claims he set foot in Vietnam while on board the USS Southerland.

The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective October 20, 2008.,The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity was also granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating and are likely to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type 2, has required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year. The initial disability evaluation is now set at 60 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other factors linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete service verification. The claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and eye disorder will be reconsidered based on the new information.