Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's residuals of a cerebrovascular accident are found to be causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

New evidence suggests that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disorders may be related to his service-connected left ankle disorder, while diabetes mellitus is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of entitlement under the law, as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for a bilateral eye disorder. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was confirmed at 20 percent, and he received an initial compensable rating for amputation of the left second toe.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining pertinent medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Drum. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including amputation of both lower extremities and other disabilities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, sarcoma of the nose, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity fragment wound with retained foreign body, buttock fragment wound with retained foreign body, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, diabetes mellitus, left wrist fragment wound, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus, have resulted in a need for higher level of care. The Veteran's condition necessitates the provision of daily personal health care services by a skilled provider without which he would require institutional care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, residuals of a head injury, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and hypertension are denied as they are not presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and muscle or bone condition of the chest are not currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, which is presumed to be related to his current diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from acute respiratory distress syndrome due to renal failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, no chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition including a tortuous pulmonary artery as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service. The current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts prior to September 15, 2015 resulted in a combined rating of 40 percent based on visual impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of Asiatic flu, type II diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of the hands. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders is also reopened.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened and granted. His diabetes mellitus is presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.