Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing and providing a statement of the case regarding the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been rated at 20 percent since October 2002. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities to control it.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension with special monthly pension benefits prior to August 17, 2015 is granted. The Board found that the Veteran did not have excessive net worth and was in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as a result of herbicide exposure, was denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the condition did not manifest within one year of discharge. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in inland waterways of Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a heart disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during or after service. Hypertension was diagnosed in 2003, over 16 years post-service. There is no link between the current diagnosis of hypertension and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) and a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and his hepatitis C is presumed to be related to service. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish direct service connection for either condition.

The Board is requesting additional evidence to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in-service, which could potentially grant service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the diabetes claim, and that the Veteran's current conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because the criteria for SMC were met as of September 21, 2009.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any eye disorder that may be present. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is being considered as the primary cause or aggravation factor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if his ship, the U.S.S. Midway, was exposed to herbicides during his service in the waters offshore and other locations.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and review the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, blood in urine/hematuria, and hypogonadism. The Veteran's PTSD and status post laminectomies L4-5 disabilities are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and granted a 10% initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.