Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for his service connection and compensation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension, as well as his claim for kidney cancer on the basis of substitution. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran required regulation of activities or hospitalizations due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there was no prior denial and the claim was received after the regulation adding diabetes to presumptive diseases due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a hearing, and the Veteran's representative indicated that they had requested a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to be permanently and totally disabling, effective July 16, 2012. The Veteran was treated in the emergency department of Mercy Hospital Independence for a medical emergency on December 29, 2012 due to symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. The treatment sought met the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if diabetes mellitus had its onset during service or is related to an in-service disease, event, or injury. Additionally, verification of herbicide exposure in Guam and at Offutt Air Force Base will be conducted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and address the Veteran's contentions regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The Board also found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam but did not find a causal link between his current diagnosis and this exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of VCAA notice and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine condition, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus II.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus, have collectively rated at least 70% since November 4, 2009. The combined effect of these conditions has precluded the Veteran from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since that date.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, as it was likely incurred within seven years of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care has been denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for any of the required levels of SMC.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of migraine headaches was granted effective December 5, 2013. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and balance problems and dizziness disorder were also granted secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a brief stopover in Vietnam, which qualifies him for presumptive service connection based on his exposure to herbicides during his active duty.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, gastroparesis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy in both legs and arms, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is not service-connected due to lack of in-country exposure to herbicides during his active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, type 2; depression; and REM sleep behavior disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was found to be directly related to her active service, with early manifestations noted during service. The Board granted the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus.