Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus based on herbicide exposure is being remanded to clarify representation and consider new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and TDIU due to service-connected conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as it met the criteria for a 20 percent rating based on insulin and restricted diet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within one year after separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 25, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous materials during service and whether any of these exposures could cause his current conditions, including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on insulin use or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds the disability picture presented by the Veteran's diabetes mellitus shows no more than a 20 percent disability rating for the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board finds that the appellant's claim for an effective date of August 23, 2006, for the award of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance has been granted. The RO had previously denied this benefit due to a failure to report for a necessary VA medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, renal failure, and heart disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicides while in service.,Service connection is established for the following conditions: Prostate Cancer (due to Agent Orange exposure), Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (due to Agent Orange exposure), Renal Failure (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus), and Heart Disorder (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus).

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction requires the use of oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin, but does not necessitate regulation of activities. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. His claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus and service connection for sleep apnea are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed diabetes mellitus, type II, and low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during active duty and reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address his claims of secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a video conference hearing as requested in his November 2015 VA Form 9. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for this hearing and provide appropriate advance written notice.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for PTSD, but not for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, colonic polyps with history of colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, heart disability, stomach disability, memory loss, sleep apnea, bilateral shoulder disability, nerve problems, peripheral neuropathy, visual disability, and headache. Service connection is granted for PTSD.