Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate notice in the original rating decision, and because adjudication of one claim may impact the other.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam and is entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, further medical examination is needed to determine if there are any intercurrent causes of the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tinea pedis are all granted as they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and an asbestos related disability, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or asbestos in service, and thus no basis for presumptive service connection. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as the disease did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter. Service connection could not be granted on a direct basis due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his claim, including consideration of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus (diabetes) from January 8, 2008, forward was also denied.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and assistance due to his multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, which render him unable to perform certain daily activities without help. As a result, he qualifies for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a new examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a fungal infection, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also found that there was no evidence to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for hepatitis C, which is not related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected conditions. The Parkinson's disease claim related to presumed herbicides exposure will also be referred back to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to procedural development needs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board or video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II does not require insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. Therefore, the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate.