Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for both hepatitis C and a skin disorder to the RO for additional action due to inadequate assistance at an August 2012 hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 9, 2007. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides while serving on the U.S.S. Renshaw.

The Veteran's back disability (lumbosacral strain) is service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension is not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding alleged herbicide exposure during his service on the USS Raton submarine in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus, type II with impotence were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, specifically GERD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were proximately caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran is precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's service records do not indicate any actual duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus cannot grant service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease based on such exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and onychomycosis was granted, but the current effective date remains unclear. The Veteran currently receives a 20% rating for his diabetes mellitus condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated at 40 percent since December 10, 2008. The Board found that he met all criteria for a 40 percent rating as of this date.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to alveolar hemorrhage, renal failure, and emphysema. Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are not directly related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for congestive heart failure, and whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have become moot.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has not been shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim will be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder and granted it as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability. The claims for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied.