Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM, esophageal condition, hypertension, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, lumbar DJD with IVDS, and sleep apnea, were all granted effective May 24, 2013. The Board found that there was no earlier claim received prior to the Veteran's most recent period of active service (March 2012 to May 2013).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and B-cell lymphoma due to herbicide agent exposure have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for DMII on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is also service connected as secondary to his DMII.

The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Bilateral diabetic retinopathy secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted as a separate condition.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tumor and stroke were not incurred in service or due to his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as the disease did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is denied, and the issue of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him unable to manage his affairs without assistance and he is now determined to be incompetent for VA purposes. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and nephropathy with hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, diabetes mellitus, type II, deep vein thrombosis, and bilateral eye condition have been granted. The appeal is granted to that extent only.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Board has granted new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes. Service connection is now granted, but the Veteran's bladder cancer claim was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current tinnitus symptoms attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and type 2 diabetes mellitus based on in-service noise exposure and presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied service connection for a stroke due to diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's service-connected condition and his stroke.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and numbness in the feet due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For right and left knee disorders, lumbar spine disability, and headaches, the case is remanded as new examinations are needed to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on their underlying conditions, with no separate ratings for service connection.,A TDIU has been granted from February 23, 2008 to October 7, 2008, and from March 9, 2009 to April 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information about the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification of the codes used in his DD-214. The AOJ must also obtain his complete service personnel records for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus caused or contributed to his death from gastric cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a rating increase for residuals of a right thumb injury.