Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, gastroparesis, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted ratings. The Veteran has also been awarded a TDIU and SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral eye disability was denied. The issue of service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to Type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed. Service connection for an ulcer of the right great toe is granted, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is awarded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on her being recognized as a helpless child of the deceased Veteran due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, finding insufficient evidence to support this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain clarifying addendum opinions addressing direct and secondary service-connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus type II were granted with effective dates of February 21, 2019, and February 21, 2018, respectively. The earlier effective date was determined based on the liberalizing laws that allowed retroactive benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 14, 2013, for a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence showed that the increase in disability occurred after the claim was filed and thus the earliest possible effective date is January 14, 2013.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted regarding the Veteran's claim of diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. The AOJ must now readjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy limits his ability to perform physical tasks required for sedentary employment.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition and concluded that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during active duty or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes, which contributed to the development of restrictive lung disease. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the appeal being in a parallel Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) appeal stream.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and loss of use of a creative organ due to potential secondary service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected in all three cases.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or contributed to his cause of death, specifically cardiac arrest. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension associated with herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension under the PACT Act.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, colon cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus II, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and related lower extremity neuropathies are granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be granted presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was also denied as there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating decisions on these conditions.