Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the legs and arms, and diabetes mellitus have all been rated at their maximum allowable ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical and mental incapacity, which requires care and assistance on a regular basis.

The Board has granted the appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease. The secondary service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agent 2,4-D during military service. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to exposure to Agent Orange and service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicide and asbestos during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a renal condition are mixed. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus has been granted at a 40 percent level, but his nephropathy with hypertension remains under review as the evidence is insufficient to determine its impact on his employment and daily activities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2011, for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction must be denied as there is no indication he filed a formal or informal claim before this date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 was managed with diet only during the initial rating period. For the entire rating period, his right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by painful, noncompensable limitation of motion with stiffness, crepitation, and frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private medical records and other evidence he wishes to submit, and VA will attempt to verify his reported exposure to herbicides while making deliveries to the 2nd and 7th Infantry Divisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, low back disability, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of depression or head rash at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral senile cataracts and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with mild macular edema in his right eye were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Appellant's service records and determine her claims for service connection. The VA will notify the Appellant if further action is required.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active service. The other claims remain pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or accrued benefits. The appellant also does not qualify for non-service-connected death pension due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition.