Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral knee disorder; and PTSD are not supported by credible evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and left ear hearing loss) prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of a nexus between the disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and fatty liver, finding no evidence of a pre-service onset or in-service aggravation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for an acute exacerbation of COPD were covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a continued medical emergency and not feasible to transfer to a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including a hearing on severance of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities. If this is resolved, the claim for TDIU will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy was denied as there is no evidence that he experienced the condition prior to February 6, 2012. The claim for a left shoulder disability was also addressed but not granted due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral feet disability, diabetes mellitus, heart attack caused by clogged artery, psychiatric disorder (anxiety attacks and nervousness), headaches, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral arm disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video-conference hearing. The primary issue is whether the Veteran can establish service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to his pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, is as likely as not incurred during her active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that an effective date of February 26, 1999 is warranted for the grant of service connection and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to PTSD and diabetes.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for nephropathy with hypertension was not proper, and thus restored secondary service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss issue is marked as 'unknown' due to lack of clear decision. TDIU remains granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various claimed conditions. The appellant's military service is also being reviewed to clarify her periods of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary service connection for a cerebrovascular accident, finding no evidence of Agent Orange exposure or in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical inquiry into his diabetes, heart disorder, digestive disorder, neuropathy of the hands and feet, erectile dysfunction (ED), and skin cancer.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea were incurred during his service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 15, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, including as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for retroactive payment and the Nehmer stipulations are inapplicable.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues, specifically a secondary service connection claim for residuals of a stroke as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further review after all necessary development is completed.