Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since April 30, 2009. The RO is directed to arrange for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the VA did not adequately assist in substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure, and thus remands the case for further development including a request to JSRRC regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the evaluation of diabetes, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance and/or housebound status, and service connection for PTSD. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Board denied the motion for revision of the June 1, 2005 decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The effective date for service connection for diabetes insipidus was granted as November 9, 1979.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents used in the Gulf War, is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a current examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure to combat noise during service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as well, though it was not incurred in service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lumbago, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a right knee injury. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with an effective date of May 31, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was maintained, and the left knee disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and erectile dysfunction is granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran set foot on land in Vietnam and thus is entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA documents. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently manifested by the need for insulin twice a day and a restricted diet. The VA examination confirmed these findings without noting any significant activity restrictions due to his diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found that he cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides in Vietnam due to his service being primarily off the coast of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the character of the claimant's discharge and new evidence for reopening claims. The appeal is now in a pending status.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative disc disease, degenerative changes of both knees, diabetes mellitus type 2, pes cavus in both feet, hypertension, arthritic changes of the left shoulder, and rheumatoid arthritis affecting both lower extremities.