Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran was granted an effective date of April 2, 2019 for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also granted an effective date of April 2, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as they affect his ability to perform daily activities and protect himself from hazards.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, and coronary artery disease. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 29, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. However, his bilateral eye disability may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and a VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been remanded. His claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities have also been remanded.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's hand disability and its relation to service, diabetes, or herbicide exposure. A new VA examination is needed to clarify these issues.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's initial claim was received on February 22, 2016, and no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to April 11, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected MUCMI, including CFS and fibromyalgia, low back disability, DM II, and OSA have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and diabetes, have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to January 22, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's pituitary and adrenal gland conditions are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's hypertension, however, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for the Veteran's pituitary and adrenal gland conditions is denied, while service connection for his hypertension is granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, particularly related to his duties transporting herbicides from Okinawa to Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to obtain deck logs for ships identified by the Veteran and attempt to verify his alleged participation in activities that may have exposed him to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer status post surgery are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for SMC and DEA eligibility due to new evidence of need for aid and attendance/housebound status, as well as a need for earlier effective date determination.

The Veteran's death did not result in any accrued benefits due and unpaid, as the retroactive award was for service connection for residuals of stroke, which is not associated with a disease presumptively linked to herbicide exposure. The Appellant does not qualify for accrued benefits as she cannot be considered an eligible survivor.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease due to lack of actual exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted as presumptive under the Agent Orange Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the earliest possible date of vision worsening and visual field loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.