Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a new rating decision after this development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's eye disorder and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for an updated opinion considering all service-connected disabilities, including non-service-connected conditions. The examiner must also provide examples of employment the Veteran would be qualified for with his current level of disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, warrants a 40 percent rating for the entire period on appeal due to its impact on regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of throat cancer due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected scars were rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2008. The Board finds no evidence of deep or underlying soft tissue damage, and the scars do not cause limitation of function. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and burial benefits are denied as there is no evidence linking the cause of death to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with the terms of the September 2013 remand orders regarding herbicide exposure in Korea. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to pancreatic and colon cancer, which were not service-connected. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities have been withdrawn. The remaining issues, including PTSD and TDIU, will be remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from a bronchopleural fistula due to chronic respiratory failure, esophageal surgery, and esophageal cancer. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to diabetic nephropathy and additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are at least in part due to his service, while bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to any of his periods of active duty service.