Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, CVA residuals, right big toe amputation and left eye loss of vision were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions had their onset during service or are related to a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and DM have not prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment at any point pertinent to this appeal.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam and Thailand. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and arthritis of the hands and back, as these conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and onychomycosis, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, diabetes (to include as due to Agent Orange exposure), and a sciatic nerve disability. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus may be associated with active service and therefore remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus. The claim is also being remanded to obtain all relevant VA medical treatment records, including those from the VAMC in Beckley, West Virginia (1996-1997) and the VAMC in Fayetteville, North Carolina (2001-present).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to SMC at a higher level due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's active duty in Thailand.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an eye condition manifested by loss of vision as secondary to diabetes mellitus and granted a 20% disability rating. The claims for bilateral shoulder pain, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spondylosis have been denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, visual impairment, left leg tumor, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand, as the previous development was inadequate. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus is now pending again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities were denied. The claim for Agent Orange exposure was not addressed as it is not related to the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and right total knee replacement are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extra-schedular consideration.