Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not found to warrant higher initial ratings based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding his exposure to herbicides and to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained an in-service facial laceration resulting in a scar near his right eye, which is now considered service-connected. The issues of diabetes mellitus, type 2 and prostatic hypertrophy are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for CFS and remanded issues of service connection for various other conditions. The case is now being remanded again to provide a VA examination and address the intertwined issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange, and it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal for the issues of entitlement to initial increased ratings for venous stasis hyperpigmentation of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, evaluated as noncompensably disabling from June 23, 2005, to January 25, 2010, and as 10 percent disabling from January 26, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU effective September 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, retinopathy, hypertension, edema of the legs and feet, renal failure, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied. The appeals are based on secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran died in March 2012 due to congestive heart failure with other significant conditions contributing to death being hypertension and diabetes. The appellant seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the earliest possible effective date is fixed as the first day of the month in which the veteran's death occurred (March 1, 2012).

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's presence at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam, which could impact his claims for service connection for cardiovascular disorder and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25-29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not provided in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has required insulin use and restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a skin condition are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claims for diabetes mellitus and weight control problems or obesity have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims of diabetes mellitus and bilateral wrist disability will be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus will be remanded for further action regarding his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.