Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced from the housebound rate to the 'K' rate for loss of use of a creative organ. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the reduction in his disability rating and need for an examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The VA needs to verify the Veteran's claims of combat pay and physical presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in non-VA facilities due to emergency treatment for his service-connected conditions were authorized, as the treatment was necessary and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension with arteriosclerosis, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current diabetes mellitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension with arteriosclerosis.

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, had its onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and related conditions were denied. The RO found that the current rating of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are also referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 7-12, 2008 at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida is denied because he does not have any adjudicated service-connected disabilities and therefore cannot qualify under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not suffer from any of his claimed conditions during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible evidence to support a finding of exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, has been reopened and granted. Service connection is established for a left leg below the knee amputation secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA ophthalmology examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a stomach disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's emergency medical services at Palm Bay Community Hospital were deemed appropriate under the criteria for payment or reimbursement, as his condition was emergent and no other feasible options were available.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he has separate ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's spouse is denied enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because the Veteran was not rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years immediately preceding his death.

The Board found no in-service event, injury, or disease related to diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are not service connected due to lack of continuity of symptoms since discharge from active duty.