Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the right knee instability rated at 10 percent and the cervical osteoarthritis rated at 20 percent. The diabetes mellitus claim was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service, and denied the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits (DIC) based upon service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for Parkinson's disease based on herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to clarify his current service-connected disabilities, obtain updated VA treatment records, and schedule him for a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome, prostate cancer, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Genesis HealthCare System from September 14, 2011 to September 15, 2011 were denied as the treatment was deemed non-emergent and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, as well as for a determination on whether he was exposed to such agents. The appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides due to refueling aircraft returning from Vietnam.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his ACDUTRA service did not qualify him for the ALS presumption. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Board has combined the Veteran's spinal service connection claims as one for service connection for disability of the thoracolumbar spine. Further development is needed to determine if any current thoracic spine disability, diabetes, sinusitis, or varicose vein disability is related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and he is now considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, gastroparesis, and cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and additional development is required.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was managed with insulin and a restricted diet but did not require regulation of activities or hospitalization. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, Type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition required regulation of activities to treat it.

The Veteran's hip disability, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), lung disability, sinus disability, and nasal polyps are all found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.