Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, effective July 2, 2012. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met since this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, result in a total combined rating of 60%. Although the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU based on his combined disability rating, he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a right hand disability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected diabetic retinopathy and a TDIU due to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining recent VA outpatient records and readjudicating the issues with consideration of all evidence received since the 2011 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, but the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as he was able to maintain employment until May 31, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not shown in service or within one year of service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had prediabetes during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, necessitating special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a Statement of the Case on his service connection claims and verifying herbicide exposure. If verified, he will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current asthma disability is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as the absence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus type II or bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to service connection, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran died from renal cancer with metastases. The Board found that his diabetes did not contribute substantially to his death and was not service-connected, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder (diagnosed as coronary artery disease) as secondary to hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection as secondary to his active duty service, but the diabetes and hearing loss claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board found that the appellant's room and board costs at her independent living retirement community do not meet the criteria to be considered an unreimbursed medical expense for purposes of computing death pension benefits.