Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for an effective date prior to September 16, 2007 for service connection for migraines and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines. The Board found that the Veteran currently has bilateral degenerative joint disease and calcaneal spurs in his heels which are due to his service.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required under VA regulations. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as it does not require insulin and restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertensive heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not related to military service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were noted in a November 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's DM requires a 40 percent rating, effective August 3, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's DM required regulation of activities and granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the location of the trim pad at the Takhli Royal Thailand Air Force Base. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. His PTSD claim is also granted, but at a lower initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and obstructive sleep apnea remain denied as there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to issue a Statement of the Case on several issues.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral hand disability has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy has been denied as it is not shown to be related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to insufficient information provided regarding his exposure to Agent Orange. The VA will request a formal finding from the Joint Service Record Research Center (JSRRC) to verify the Veteran's exposure.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, thyroid disability, melanoma of the chest and back, diabetes mellitus, and right eye cataract.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric condition is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to render him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his death.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his diabetes. He is also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, to include ASHD and CAD, were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during active service. The symptoms did not manifest within one year post-service separation or to a degree warranting service connection.