Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found no evidence of regulation of activities or insulin requirements. The right arm fracture residuals are not service-connected.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiomyopathy due to diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's Service Personnel Records and a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death. Additionally, efforts must be made to obtain any records pertaining to the Veteran's Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU issue will be considered as part of this process.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, retinopathy, hypertension, and a back disorder. The appeal will be remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service and to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, and end stage renal disease with dialysis were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, pulmonary condition, IHD, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, but denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The decision is pending on the issue of whether the Veteran's gallstones are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his TDIU prior to May 31, 2010 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding the earlier effective date for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a comprehensive diabetes mellitus examination. The TDIU claim is also deferred pending resolution of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. Episodes of hypoglycemia requiring paramedic care have occurred but not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or Korea, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure on Johnston Island. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus cannot be established.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with dermopathy, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records need to be verified for periods of active duty in Vietnam. Additionally, a VA physician is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disease and diabetes hastened his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar strain, diabetes mellitus type II, right hip condition, and scars from a shell fragment wound of the right lower extremity with retained foreign body, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran is appealing the effective date of his service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which was granted in November 2008. The Board has determined that this case must be remanded to address a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous denial of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, and his claim for an effective date prior to March 23, 2011, for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran's DM II requires management with oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but not insulin or regulation of activities.