Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU entitlement arose as of April 4, 2006, based on his service-connected disabilities and elevated combined disability evaluation. An effective date of August 4, 2006, but none earlier, is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in a state of relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus is related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has jurisdiction over the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a skin disorder around the right eye and asthma. The appeal is REMANDED due to the need to obtain additional VA medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable from the evidence of record that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to March 9, 2004. Therefore, an effective date earlier than March 9, 2004 for the award of TDIU benefits is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not related to his service-connected schizophrenia and denied both direct and secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a 20 percent initial rating. The Board also found that the criteria for a staged rating of 60 percent were met beginning December 11, 2007. However, his TDIU claim is not adjudicated as it has not been previously addressed.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and separate evaluations for his diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension and diabetic neuropathy was granted, but the Board found that a separate disability rating of 10 percent is warranted for his hypertension. The diabetes itself remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all of her service treatment records and determining if she was exposed to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice, and the VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by service-connected type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the feet was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus with kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicides. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and pes planus are granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his active duty service and/or presumed exposure to herbicides. He also contends that his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy which renders him legally blind, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and impotence were pre-existing conditions that became manifest during service. The effective date for these benefits is set at August 17, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing officer's absence, and the Veteran wishes another hearing before a current Veterans Law Judge.