Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are not otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from pancreatic cancer. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency transportation on February 15, 2010 are eligible for payment due to the nature of his symptoms and liability.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if it was caused by VA care or treatment, and whether the cause of his death was reasonably foreseeable. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and review new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Thailand and Vietnam. The VA will make as many requests necessary to obtain service department records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II with renal insufficiency remains at 20 percent, and the claim for an effective date prior to May 14, 2009 is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, diabetic retinopathy and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as complications of his diabetes, hypertension, and Dupuytren's contractures. Service connection is also granted for essential hypertension, but not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine whether the appellant is in need of aid and attendance or if he is housebound due to his disabilities. The appellant also needs assistance with cooking, dressing, medication management, and paying bills.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective as of April 13, 2006. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the date of the claim and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and prostate disorder are found to be related to his service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD.

The Board has directed a new examination due to the lack of an opinion on whether the erectile dysfunction is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection claims for various conditions, including eczema, ruptured left ovarian cyst, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), headaches, menstrual irregularities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity impairment due to Parkinson's disease, and facial nerve impairment have been granted. The initial ratings assigned are 40 percent for right upper extremity impairment and 30 percent for left upper extremity impairment, all due to Parkinson's disease. Effective dates prior to December 4, 2007, have also been established.