Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to individual unemployability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of a current disability within the first post-service year, and the conditions did not arise during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot arthritic changes and exostoses, but denied the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for these conditions is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of each upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for epilepsy due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claims for diabetes mellitus, back disability, allergies, hemorrhoids, and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's right-sided radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent since July 26, 2004. The Board found that the condition more nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional treatment records. The case must be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, to include as due to exposure to herbicides, is denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty service and the diabetes was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to consider these issues on the merits and address any inextricably intertwined claim of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, a right knee condition, or a right shoulder condition. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board also dismissed the appeals of his claims for increased ratings for left ankle Achilles tendon trauma, right knee strain, and left knee strain.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been rated at the minimum levels allowed by regulation, with no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which contributed to his strokes and left him wheelchair-bound, was a substantial cause of his death in a house fire due to asphyxiation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus, and has granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 30 percent. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify when the Veteran was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and whether his chronic renal insufficiency is related to his service-connected diabetes. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service records and medical treatment records, as well as to clarify his claims for prostate cancer. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, due to exposure to herbicide (Agent Orange) is denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service exposure and the disease did not manifest within the presumptive period.