Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was granted, effective November 13, 2012, but no earlier.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, thus the appellant does not qualify for CHAMPVA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.,For the increased rating issues, the Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increase in ratings for his right knee disability, residual right knee status post ligament repair, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's post-transplant heart disease and diabetes mellitus are not service connected as they did not manifest in service or within one year following separation. The scar from the heart transplant is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 30, 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease have been remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from September 2011 to the present. The TDIU rating prior to March 1, 2011 is also inextricably intertwined with the rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case to arrange for a DRO hearing due to scheduling issues, and no action is required on your part at this time.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during his military service and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, cardiac disabilities, or stroke. The claims are denied as direct service connection is not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye disability, including diabetic retinopathy with left hemiretinal artery occlusion, warranted a 10 percent rating from January 4, 2010 onwards. The condition was not rated as compensable prior to this date.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertensive retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient research and findings regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is on hold until further development is completed.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for residuals of an excision of a melanoma, right posterior arm, to include nerve damage, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral cataracts, and acquired psychiatric disability are service-connected. The Board also found no evidence of peripheral vascular disease, diabetic cystopathy, or gastroparesis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. The Veteran was awarded service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected post-concussional syndrome with cerebellar dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is denied. The evidence does not establish that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service and there is no in-service or post-service diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for sleep apnea. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the fingers. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain his service personnel records, relevant treatment records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of diabetes mellitus, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities that are related to his service or herbicide exposure. The heart condition is not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.