Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a left leg stress fracture is granted. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and low back disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral lower extremities, left knee disability, left eye cataract, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are all found to be related to his presumed in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and right leg neuropathy, both of which were diagnosed in 2005, are denied as there is no evidence of their onset during active service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and granted additional retroactive payment of DIC benefits. The effective date remains September 15, 2006, but $814 in overpayment is added back to the retroactive payments.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of service connection for the cause of death remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus in excess of 10 percent prior to May 13, 2010 is denied. A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes from May 13, 2010 is granted and a TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure in service or as secondary to another condition. The claim was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed by a VA examiner to determine whether his service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to provide the Appellant with another VA examination to assess his employability due to nonservice-connected disabilities, including orthopedic conditions. The appeal will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus type II and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD, anal fissure, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, right ankle laxity, inguinal hernia repair residuals, left ear scar, groin scar, and erectile dysfunction, collectively preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the Board finds that his claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for guidance from VA regarding the classification of inland waterways. The case will be readjudicated once this guidance is issued.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and transient ischemic attacks and right middle cerebral infarct, combine to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining expert medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease. The Appellant is also given an opportunity to provide evidence of chronic alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his prostate cancer disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, prostate disability (including prostate cancer and/or BPH), lymph gland disability, and ED were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.