Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no medical evidence showing that regulation of activities, defined by VA regulations, has been advised due to his condition. The Board found that the available schedular evaluations were adequate and did not find other related factors such as 'governing norms' applicable.

The Board affirms service connection for actinic keratosis due to sun exposure in service, but denies service connection for diabetes as the Veteran did not serve at Fort Chafee where herbicide exposure is alleged.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain employment. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Veteran's claims were decided based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and liver transplant. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that the claim was not received within one year of separation from service and thus the earliest possible effective date is December 11, 2008.

The Veteran's death was not related to service, and the appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in connection with the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes, and a back disorder. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including a recent grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded. The Board also finds that the RO made an error in denying a petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, and he should be provided with an SOC on this issue.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been granted. The claims to reopen service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The examiner will provide opinions on whether the condition was incurred during ACDUTRA service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is compensably disabling and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities. However, his claims for service connection are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these disabilities to active military service or to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent each since March 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the need for a VA examination to address his lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service. The other issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the resolution of the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions.