Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. Specifically, an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to TCE at Castle Air Force Base during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration and the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's in-country visitation and exposure to herbicides are presumed. The claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in peacetime service due to its manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's National Guard service and scheduling a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board granted a TDIU effective from April 7, 2013 to June 19, 2014, based on the Veteran's combined schedular rating of 80 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his eligibility for an automobile allowance or specially adapted equipment, including a VA examination to determine if he has loss of use of one or both feet or hands.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is granted. Service connection for residuals of head injury (TBI) and disability of the cervical spine are also granted, as well as service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD or due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy claims remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing disability, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss) are found to be disabling enough to prevent him from securing or following any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The AOJ will verify her current address and schedule another hearing if necessary.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were assigned, but a remand is required due to insufficient clinical findings and missing treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, arterial sclerotic cardiovascular occlusive disease with partial arterial obstruction, cardiovascular disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, chronic renal insufficiency, and hypertension based on substitution.,Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the now service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's dysthymia is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by VA care or treatment.,The Veteran's heart condition is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by VA care or treatment.,The Veteran's thyroid disease is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by VA care or treatment.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by VA care or treatment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder (due to exposure to Agent Orange), acute myositis of the quadriceps, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, hemorrhage of blood vessels in the brain, cerebral vascular accident/TIA, and bilateral eye disorder have been denied. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and its complications, as well as his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam and also has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.