Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Subic Bay, Philippines. The Veteran contends he was exposed during his service aboard USS Meyerkord.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes mellitus II) combine for an 80 percent rating, which meets the threshold requirements for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a seizure disorder that was incurred in service. The evidence of record, including her service treatment records and private medical records, does not support a finding of such conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since the appeal began, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only requires insulin and restricted diet.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran will need a VA examination with a sleep specialist to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records from the Memphis VAMC dated in 1991 and from August 2012 to present. The AOJ must also attempt to obtain any pertinent private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure, is granted on a presumptive basis. The other claims are pending further development and review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including searching for unit records and logs related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The Veteran is entitled to a new rating decision based on this additional information.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms at the time of seeking care on July 8, 2010 were emergent in nature and VA facilities were not feasibly available. Therefore, the criteria for reimbursement have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and chronic vasovagal syncope disorder, as well as a Statement of the Case on the issue of an initial rating greater than 10 percent for the service-connected chronic vasovagal syncope.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in unemployability. The case is REMANDED for an appropriate health care specialist to review the claims folder and provide a determination on whether the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is found to be causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant VA records, SSA disability benefits information, and any additional private medical records from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in unemployability. The case is REMANDED for an appropriate health care specialist to review the claims folder and provide a determination on whether the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the appellant's claims for accrued benefits based on service connection for gallbladder condition, sickle cell anemia, stomach cancer, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.