Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right eye with blindness, having only light perception was denied. However, he was granted effective from April 22, 2008, for his need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and is granting it. The underlying service connection claim for this disability as well as the TDIU claim are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tuberculosis, hepatitis C, or diabetes mellitus during the appeals period and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to March 13, 2015. The Board found that his service-connected conditions were not of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment in keeping with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service and therefore cannot establish a presumption of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus in service, nor is there any link between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy was found to be manifested by corrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/40 in both eyes, without any evidence of visual field loss, pain, rest requirements, impairment of muscle function, or incapacitating episodes prior to November 24, 2014. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be due to his service in Thailand, where he was exposed to Agent Orange. The Board finds that the Veteran's duties brought him to the perimeter of the base on a regular basis and grants service connection for diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety, diabetic nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and status post shrapnel injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities for the period on appeal prior to January 9, 2007. The Board found that he had one disability rated at 60 percent (hypertension) and a combined rating of 80 percent, effective from September 15, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by a shotgun wound to the head, but service-connected conditions such as diabetes and heart disease contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his diabetes, skin cancer, and GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and its complications has been withdrawn. The current evaluation of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is maintained, as there are no compensable diabetic complications.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and finds that it is now granted as there is evidence to support a link between the current disability and active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is fixed at October 3, 2007.,The Veteran's effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is fixed at July 16, 2010. The appellant argues that the earlier dates should apply due to VA treatment records and medications received from the VA pharmacy. However, there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to these dates.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent as his condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities (diabetic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease) is now 100 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.