Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a Statement of the Case on his service connection claims and verifying herbicide exposure. If verified, he will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current asthma disability is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as the absence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus type II or bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to service connection, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran died from renal cancer with metastases. The Board found that his diabetes did not contribute substantially to his death and was not service-connected, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder (diagnosed as coronary artery disease) as secondary to hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection as secondary to his active duty service, but the diabetes and hearing loss claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board found that the appellant's room and board costs at her independent living retirement community do not meet the criteria to be considered an unreimbursed medical expense for purposes of computing death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, claiming it is related to his exposure to jet fuel and chemicals during active duty. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides as part of his duties.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II and was likely exposed to Agent Orange during military service. As such, the preponderance of the evidence is in favor of granting service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with the diabetes rated at 20% and the coronary artery disease rated at 60%. The Board has determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective May 22, 2014. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was granted but not yet assigned a specific percentage.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the effective date for service connection for an ulcer, left foot as secondary to diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and service connection for glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes and ischemic heart disease was denied. The Veteran's diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet, but did not require regulation of activities as defined by VA. His ischemic heart disease prior to October 9, 2012 warranted a 10% rating based on workload greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 18, 2012 for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied PTSD claim and service connection for a back condition have not been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and Hodgkin's disease as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's active military service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.