Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Nashville, Tennessee RO. The issues include service connection claims and reopening of a diabetes claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance by another individual.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is manifested by the need for daily insulin injections and dietary restrictions, without regulation of activities. The initial rating of 20 percent has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and impotence/erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other basis for establishing service connection.

Service connection for left trigger finger and right trigger finger has been granted with effective dates of October 26, 2006 and August 6, 2007 respectively. Service connection for pes planus was reopened and granted with an effective date of October 26, 2006. Service connection for sleep apnea and left tibial tendon dysfunction has been granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, and left shoulder brachial neuritis do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred during active military service, and he has bilateral foot fungus that the VA examiner opines may be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot fungus remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain any form of gainful employment from February 25, 2010, to November 8, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a mental health examination to determine the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), and preparing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between ED and service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board finds that the left second toe amputation was not caused by VA care, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that hypertension is related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had in-country service and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. As a result, diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, right finger disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, or insomnia due to his service. His claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.