Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, esophageal cancer, hypertension, stroke, and emphysema as the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, COPD, and PTSD, to include as secondary to exposure to certain herbicide agents. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is being verified, and a VA examination will be scheduled if his presence during the applicable time period and location is confirmed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,Ischemic heart disease and DM II are not granted as service connected, due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure while stationed at Udorn RTAFB Thailand.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that prior to March 26, 2015, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU and may only refer the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as other environmental toxins. The Veteran's exposure at Fort McClellan is being verified, and a VA examination will be provided if necessary.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, which requires dietary restriction, oral hypoglycemic medication, and daily insulin. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's herbicide exposure during service is presumed and his current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II is linked to this exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,For right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, ratings of 10 percent prior to July 21, 2014, were granted. Ratings of 20 percent from July 21, 2014 to October 19, 2015, and greater than 20 percent since then, were denied.

The Veteran's DIC benefits were correctly calculated and paid, but the appellant is not entitled to additional compensation as her husband was only rated at 100% for less than eight years prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition aggravated his hypertension and contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his diabetes and stroke residuals, result in significant functional impairment that necessitates the need for regular aid and assistance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence received since the February 2010 rating decision did not provide a new or material nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of information verifying the Veteran's location during his Vietnam-era service. The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam, but there is no evidence confirming this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities independently.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the recoupment of separation pay for various disabilities, finding that VA was required to withhold this amount from his disability compensation benefits as per law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and diabetic retinopathy to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim for a mental health disorder was also denied. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was not increased beyond 40 percent, and the rating for tinnitus remained at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several claims due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed, as well as his claim for a higher rating for depression with PTSD.