Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to March 28, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted a disability rating of 20 percent, and his erectile dysfunction was granted service connection on the basis that it is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension are granted as service connected due to military environmental exposure, with the presumption of exposure for diabetes. The hypertension is also linked to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in contacting him and obtaining necessary medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathies of both upper and lower extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable ratings.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, finding that the Veteran did not serve along the Korean DMZ in an eligible period or have evidence of herbicide exposure. The claims were also denied on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotency), and total left knee replacement. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him homebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable evaluation when mechanically applying the diagnostic criteria to the audiological testing results, and his complaint of difficulty hearing is contemplated by the rating schedule.,The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the U.S.S. Enterprise was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam from May 1967 to March 20, 1968, which would trigger VA's duty to assist him by providing him a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided that service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, migraines, left hand disorder, and neuropathy of the right leg.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), neuropathy of the right hand and left foot, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate disorder, and a right eye disorder is granted. The remaining issues are REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, as the RO did not issue a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran must file a VA Form 9 to perfect his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no evidence of a qualifying period of service or any relationship to service. The Board also found no aggravation by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for a hearing loss rating and service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.