Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the combined rating for these conditions meets the criteria for TDIU prior to December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his left knee condition and readjudication of the issues of increased ratings for diabetic polyneuropathy of both feet.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. William Jacobs and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 24, 2006.,His hearing loss disability is rated as compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding that his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and associated conditions were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is manifested by the requirement for insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board finds that a 40 percent evaluation is warranted from August 21, 2006 to January 21, 2013 and in excess of 40 percent from January 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and pes planus were all granted. The diagnoses are considered to be directly related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment during the period from July 24, 2006 to April 8, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection with a 50% disability rating, effective from December 12, 1996 to August 25, 1998. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is found to have its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for hypertension remains under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right leg disorder, left leg disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, headaches, eye disorder, heart disorder, prostate disorder, neurological disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders. The decision was based on secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension are not related to his active duty service. The claim for hepatitis C is pending as there is no evidence of record linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for malaria has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating. The appellant is therefore denied an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure associated with herbicide exposure could not be established based on the available evidence.

The Board found that the cause of death, end stage esophageal cancer, was not related to service or any service-connected conditions. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye blindness is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been denied.