Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to respiratory and vascular disorders, as well as the claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to potential in-country service in Vietnam, need for additional medical examination, and review of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant does not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or accrued benefits.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes were granted ratings, but the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the disability and determine if it requires regulation of activities.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of a direct relationship between his active service and the condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the current condition has not been linked to any incident, disease, or injury during service.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, asthma, and high cholesterol were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the right knee instability rated at 10 percent and the cervical osteoarthritis rated at 20 percent. The diabetes mellitus claim was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service, and denied the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits (DIC) based upon service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for Parkinson's disease based on herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to clarify his current service-connected disabilities, obtain updated VA treatment records, and schedule him for a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome, prostate cancer, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Genesis HealthCare System from September 14, 2011 to September 15, 2011 were denied as the treatment was deemed non-emergent and VA facilities were feasibly available.