Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bullous pemphigoid, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran did not appeal this decision or submit new and material evidence within one year.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death from positional asphyxia due to a car accident.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be present in service and continues since then, warranting service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to new evidence received after the October 2010 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral legs, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, and compression fracture of the thoracic spine were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than August 28, 2006, for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is less likely than not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disorder, skin disorder, and diabetes mellitus and service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran met the minimum criteria for schedular TDIU prior to November 1, 2012 and was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that evidence for and against the claim is at least in approximate balance.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate reasoning in the previous VA opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, right knee disability, tailbone disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, type II, have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim or establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to herbicides was denied. The issue of an increased disability rating for asbestosis remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy affecting his lower extremities and resulting in loss of sensation, have rendered him unable to use his feet for driving. As a result, he is granted financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and finds that he currently suffers from diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.