Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was a contributory cause of his death from congestive heart failure, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicides or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the University of Kentucky Hospital from September 7, 2012 to September 11, 2012 are now covered by VA as they were for a continued medical emergency due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to additional development being required, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The criteria for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II are not met.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining a clear copy of the March 2014 addendum VA medical opinion and referring it to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while impairing his ability to work, do not render him unemployable as a whole. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold requirement for TDIU under section 4.16(a).

The Veteran's bladder hyperactivity is rated at 40 percent, and she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing due to the Veteran's request, and the claim of reopening service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and mild diabetic nephropathy, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, as well as special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ, are denied because the earliest effective date is February 12, 2010.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and whether his death is related to service on a direct basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The hypertension was not exhibited within the first post-service year and is not etiologically related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, specifically the residuals of a shell fragment wound of Muscle Group XIII of the right thigh and diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's allegations of Vietnam service and stressors were not credible, and thus denied his claims for PTSD and diabetes due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is remanded for additional development including obtaining deck logs and information from the Department of the Army.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence showing that his disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a higher rating.