Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted a PTSD disability benefits questionnaire.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since June 2009. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of regulation of activities or hospitalizations due to ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of in-service exposure, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral foot disabilities are related to his service. However, there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or a direct link between these conditions.

The Board found that there is no evidence of DM II during service or within the first post-service year, and the medical opinion provided does not support a finding that DM II was incurred in service. The most persuasive medical opinion evidence weighs against a finding that DM II is related to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and PTSD. The appeal was also dismissed due to untimely filing of a VA-9 form in response to the June 6, 2005 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal failure, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus. The cause of these conditions is not service-connected.,VA treatment or care did not contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains pending, as does the TDIU claim which is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, tinnitus, coronary heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and his limited education and work experience.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 31, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus are denied as they were received on November 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded for additional development on other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a bilateral hand disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes was evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes, but found that the Veteran is entitled to separate ratings for his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and right upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete records, insufficient information regarding the onset of her conditions during service, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. The diabetes mellitus type II has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires the aid and attendance of another person to protect him in his daily environment due to service-connected disabilities. As such, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation. The appeal is now pending for further development and readjudication.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were either the principal or contributory cause of his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.