Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25-29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not provided in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has required insulin use and restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a skin condition are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claims for diabetes mellitus and weight control problems or obesity have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims of diabetes mellitus and bilateral wrist disability will be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus will be remanded for further action regarding his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, and denied his increased rating claims for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability. The Veteran was also denied TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of epididymitis and service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied. The case is REMANDED to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic retinopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, hypertension, prostate cancer or residuals thereof, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year post-service, and that any such disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran was granted higher initial ratings for his right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from May 18, 2009 to April 2, 2015.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a recent Court decision in Gray v. McDonald, 27 Vet.App. 313 (2015), which requires consideration of whether the Veteran's service in Da Nang Harbor qualifies as in-country service in Vietnam or its inland waterways.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency of hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers. His service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were also considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.