Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for calcification of the left medial collateral ligament was granted, and his TDIU claim was also granted. The combined evaluation for compensation is now at 90 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU prior to September 16, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his alleged exposure to Agent Orange and to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric, diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, adrenal gland tumor, and prostate disability claims.

The Veteran claims service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which he attributes to exposure to herbicides during his service in the Air Force. The case is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with the exception of the claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 1, 2011 for left upper extremity scar. The remaining claims are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder and diabetes mellitus are related to his active duty service, but he was not exposed to herbicides during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is causally related to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes-related disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance is being remanded as additional examination is needed to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran likely stepped foot in Vietnam and can be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, leading to a grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's residuals of a cerebrovascular accident are found to be causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

New evidence suggests that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disorders may be related to his service-connected left ankle disorder, while diabetes mellitus is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of entitlement under the law, as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for a bilateral eye disorder. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was confirmed at 20 percent, and he received an initial compensable rating for amputation of the left second toe.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining pertinent medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Drum. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including amputation of both lower extremities and other disabilities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, sarcoma of the nose, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity fragment wound with retained foreign body, buttock fragment wound with retained foreign body, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, diabetes mellitus, left wrist fragment wound, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus, have resulted in a need for higher level of care. The Veteran's condition necessitates the provision of daily personal health care services by a skilled provider without which he would require institutional care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, residuals of a head injury, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and hypertension are denied as they are not presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and muscle or bone condition of the chest are not currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for consideration of this additional evidence.