Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange/herbicides in service. However, the RO found insufficient evidence to substantiate his claim and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification of issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a gynecological condition to include residuals of hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any other basis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection due to in-service Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is also granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to medications taken for her service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for osteochondroma of the left fifth toe was denied due to lack of a causal nexus to military service, and this decision became final.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, and tinnitus, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Veteran is requesting to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the right hand, sleep apnea, and a nasal condition. The Board has remanded these cases due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his current disability levels. A TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent and requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities or result in hospitalizations or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently being considered for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis, status-post stenting. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequate opinion provided by the April 2008 VA examiner regarding whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability status post surgery. The flat feet/foot disability (pes planus) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding the current residuals of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. Additionally, VA must attempt to obtain all relevant medical records from Fort Campbell.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. His diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, with the need for oral hypoglycemic agents but no regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right eye disability residual to embolic stroke, and clogging of the right carotid artery as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Medical evidence did not support a finding of separate disabilities related to these conditions.