Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease), and whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for hypertension and heart condition as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus are also 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, thus meeting criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his left knee, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to exposure to chemical herbicides during his active duty in Thailand, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease related to the condition and insufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer has been rated as 100 percent disabling for nearly 7 years, and this disability is permanent. The Board finds that the appellant-daughter meets the criteria for entitlement to Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating assigned for type II diabetes mellitus prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, PVD, CAD, and hypertension. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-country service or documented exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 3, 2010 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral knee disorder; and PTSD are not supported by credible evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and left ear hearing loss) prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of a nexus between the disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and fatty liver, finding no evidence of a pre-service onset or in-service aggravation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for an acute exacerbation of COPD were covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a continued medical emergency and not feasible to transfer to a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including a hearing on severance of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities. If this is resolved, the claim for TDIU will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy was denied as there is no evidence that he experienced the condition prior to February 6, 2012. The claim for a left shoulder disability was also addressed but not granted due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.