Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of May 23, 1994 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus type 2 and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied as the current level of disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service and concluded that he did not serve on a ship operating in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus with bilateral cataracts and erectile dysfunction was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent prior to August 16, 2012 and the current rating of 40 percent thereafter were not granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is also not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected major depression and/or hypertension. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus, type II, caused by VA-prescribed medication has also been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy have been granted increased ratings, effective June 7, 2013. The hepatitis C claim has also been granted with an effective date of March 5, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are rated at 30 percent since March 28, 2014. Separate ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Reserve medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's eye disability and psychogenic polydipsia are still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as he and his representative have withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam and/or Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with secondary hypertension and stroke, to include as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between the current disability and active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current disabilities are not shown to be related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 27, 2005, due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for consideration of the old criteria (in effect prior to December 10, 2008) and for an addendum VA opinion providing numerical interpretation of the visual field test results.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and a memorandum from a vocational rehabilitation specialist to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of whether TDIU is warranted.