Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. His diabetes mellitus type II is not related to his military service, and the Board finds no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's respiratory disorder claim was not addressed as it does not specify a condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals of lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired mental disorder (presumably including cognitive disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS), seizure disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability. The claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss was denied as the Veteran's hearing did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss. The claims for an increased rating for bilateral knee disability and entitlement to TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, left femur disability, right radius disability, and left radius and ulna disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection or higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left hand disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for left knee disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus could have aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of reopening his previously denied diabetes mellitus claim and has determined that service connection is warranted for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues regarding an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU. The Board finds that further development is necessary, including a neuropsychological examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's cognitive disorder and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation above the right knee and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure in Thailand and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on presumptive exposure. The Board also found no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is of service origin, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for COPD. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's DM is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not have its onset in service and was not diagnosed within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation during service. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, is rated at 40 percent since September 12, 2013. The same rating applies to the left lower extremity from May 5, 2011 to September 4, 2013, and then again from September 5, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that his service did not include service in the Republic of Vietnam and thus he was not entitled to the presumption of herbicide exposure. The decision also noted that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran may also have received private medical care at Redmond Regional Medical Center which needs to be obtained.