Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the case for a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request and the need to ensure proper representation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty. The claim for increased rating of peripheral neuropathy is also denied.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are rated at 10% each from June 19, 2007 to February 20, 2013. The rating is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to assess the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to her service-connected hypothyroidism. The claim for secondary service connection based on hypertension and diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during his period of active duty and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, II and assigned an initial 20 percent rating effective March 4, 2008. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam, as well as the nature of any psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type I diabetes mellitus and finds that it was shown during his period of active duty. The Veteran's medical opinion supports this finding.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension/hypertension with nephropathy claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 60 percent from April 11, 2014. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed service connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Thailand. Service connection for PTSD has been established based on credible supporting evidence of a claimed stressor that occurred while the Veteran served at Ubon RTAFB.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides in Guam. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.