Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes, neuropathy, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound will be assessed based on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, urethral stricture, and a chronic eye disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. For diabetes mellitus, the rating prior to January 13, 2017 remains unchanged at 20 percent; however, a higher rating of 40 percent is granted since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed as the issue is moot due to a prior grant of service connection in February 2016. The Board also addressed an eye condition claim, finding that further development is required and remanding it for additional examination.

The Veteran's chronic constipation, assessed as gastroparesis, is now rated at 30 percent. The diabetes and diabetic nephropathy claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims file will be returned for further development including obtaining medical records and a new opinion from an examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of sufficient additional service-connected disability to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of skin cancer is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has established entitlement to SMC-L based on loss of use of his legs due to his service-connected back disorder, knee disorders and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. He also qualifies for SMC-O and SMC-R(1) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's possible active duty period from January 1962 to January 1966.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to toxins and contaminants. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, colon polyps, diabetes mellitus, neck tumor, abdominal hernia, bilateral inguinal hernias, and coronary artery disease have all been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluding that the condition is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered the appellant to be scheduled for a VA aid and attendance or housebound examination. The claim is being remanded due to the cancellation of her appointment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with its January 2014 remand instructions, specifically regarding the Veteran's reports of shakiness and dizziness during and since service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including perforated diverticulitis and other chronic diseases. The VA needs to verify if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence regarding herbicide exposure, radiation exposure, and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder was withdrawn. The Board denied the remaining claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded as he filed a Notice of Disagreement.