Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death, COPD, is presumed to have been caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to September 8, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, which is not a service-connected condition, acts as an intermediate step between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and his currently diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neurological impairment results in the loss of use of both feet, qualifying him for SMC-L.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, loss of teeth, a rating in excess of 50 percent for mood disorder, DMII, and bilateral CTS due to potential overlap with other diagnosed conditions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not provided to reopen the claims. The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other hazardous toxins, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, diabetes mellitus type II, and malaria residuals prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 11, 2019. The Board grants the TDIU claim for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, right ear hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy was denied for increased ratings prior to July 16, 2019 and as of that date. The current rating of 30% is upheld.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, as well as left eye disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange and asbestos in service, as well as the cause of death. Additional development is needed regarding the USS Haleakala's location during the relevant time period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were granted in a previous rating decision. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and diabetes mellitus have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board requested that VA obtain all outstanding records, including those from a private doctor named Dr. R., and scheduled the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis. The appeals concerning the other conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with impotency, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all rated at 20 percent. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was filed on September 11, 2006. The Board granted an effective date of September 11, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of SMC-AA.

The Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus and tension headaches are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected MDD with an adjustment disorder, with obesity serving as an intermediate step between the two disabilities.,The Veteran's obesity is not a qualifying disability for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and his TDIU claim from August 1, 2013, to October 2, 2017, were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable disability rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete development regarding herbicide exposure. The claims will be further developed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in service, which could affect his claims for heart disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension.