Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's diabetes and related complications are being remanded for further examination to determine the current nature and severity of his condition. His entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD was granted. He is now entitled to a disability rating of 60 percent for his CAD, effective June 20, 2006 through January [redacted], 2008.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition was incurred or aggravated during his lifetime. The issue regarding countable income for pension benefits is pending and will be addressed in the future.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to consider his service connection claims and potential impact on his eligibility. The issues of service connection for hyperhidrosis and back pain secondary to diabetes mellitus are also pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been granted service connection with an effective date of June 12, 2013.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have each been granted a separate evaluation at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the July 2014 Board hearing and the need for additional development regarding actual exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate and extension of benefits from September 22, 2011 to June 23, 2014. The RO implemented a decision that granted service connection for coronary artery disease with an effective date of June 8, 1995, but denied earlier SMC based on the Veteran's disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease or diabetes mellitus type II due to service connection, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left hand, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and hypertension. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not shown to require insulin or any oral hypoglycemic agents prior to November 15, 2007. Since then, the evidence does not show regulation of activities required for control of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his military service. The claims for obesity and diabetes have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy is rated at 20 percent. A separate 20 percent rating for voiding dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, effective June 2, 2016, has been granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is related to his active service in Korea. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are denied as they are not linked to his service or exposure to herbicides/chemicals. Prostate cancer was diagnosed after separation from service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction has been rated at 20 percent since January 7, 2010. The evidence does not show that the condition requires insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) and there is insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection. The claim was reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. However, the Board denied the underlying claim as there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's current diabetes and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and potential deployment in Vietnam or Thailand.