Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee DJD and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a disability rating in excess of those assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability, other than peripheral neuropathy, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of her appeal. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran died in November 1982 due to multiple underlying health conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected diabetes with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, left lower extremity diabetic amyotrophy, and right lower extremity diabetic amyotrophy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, warrants a disability rating of 40 percent on and after March 18, 2013. The Board granted the increased rating for this condition based on objective medical evidence demonstrating that the Veteran required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus, type I, which was presumed incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy was granted with effective dates prior to January 24, 2011.,For the period prior to February 17, 2011, a 20 percent rating is assigned for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for stomach cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PAD, heart disease and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident was denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran having these conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and lightheadedness.,Service connection for these conditions is based on the evidence showing that they were caused by or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder and lightheadedness.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as it is not etiologically related to service and is not proximately caused or permanently increased in severity by the service-connected irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to have most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 did not manifest during service or within one year following discharge and is not otherwise related to active service. The temporomandibular disorder was rated as 10% disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus, as well as his increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and hypertension. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus was denied. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the USS Taluga was pierside in Vung Tao during the Veteran's service, and if so, whether this qualifies as herbicide exposure. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was proximately aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring proper consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and did not find any other issues warranting a higher initial rating or service connection.