Diabetes decisions — 2018

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes is denied.,The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates or entitlement to the benefits sought.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with cataracts and erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran also has service-connected polyuria secondary to his diabetes mellitus, but this issue was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires treatment with insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for DM for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and neck disability are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran's claims for sickle cell anemia and diabetes were withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and diabetes have been denied. The claim for increased rating of residuals of GSW to the right leg remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC and SMP was denied as he does not meet the legal threshold required to receive these benefits due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities. The Board finds he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial ratings assigned for diabetes mellitus, type II, and glaucoma with cataract removal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of vision and sleep disorder. The issues related to TBI or residuals thereof, bilateral inguinal hernias, headaches, sinus disorder with shortness of breath (sinus disorder), eating disorder, balance disorder, CFS, seizure disorder, PUD, esophageal disorder other than GERD, diabetes, bladder disorder, and muscle disorder have also been denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for residuals of myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remain denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to active service.,The Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service at Korat RTAFB has not been conceded. The Board finds insufficient evidence of record to support the claim for service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, finding that his condition does not require regulation of activities as part of its management.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetic nephropathy, including whether urinary frequency and incontinence are symptoms of this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was managed by a restricted diet, including herbal supplements, prior to December 13, 2012. Since then, it has been managed with oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but not requiring regulation of activities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure, and thus grants the claim for service connection.