Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for burn injury residuals to the hands and fingers, finding that the Veteran's in-service burn during basic training is related to his current condition. Service connection for diabetes was also granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to July 12, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU from July 12, 2016 is dismissed as moot because the Veteran received a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board has granted attorney fees based on the grant of increased ratings for right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a January 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's attorney, K.L., invested reasonable time and effort into pursuing his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, headaches, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, bilateral foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's vision disorder other than diabetic retinopathy, acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorder, and diabetes are all granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and diabetes are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is the proximate cause or aggravates his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with associated retinopathy and neuropathy is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also granted service connection as a complication of his diabetes. Service connection for hypertension was remanded due to the need for an updated opinion considering recent NAS report.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective December 31, 2014.,A TDIU has also been granted from December 15, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy with bilateral cataracts are rated at 60 percent from June 23, 2014 to June 24, 2015 and denied for higher ratings. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disability is granted effective June 23, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and/or left knee disorders aggravate his diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted a 20 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is denied any increase in rating, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7913. The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's need for aid and attendance was not solely due to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found that neither condition is service-connected, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's associated diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities is rated at 20 percent, effective April 2, 2012.,The Veteran's acquired mental disorder (paranoid schizophrenia) has been restored to a 30 percent rating from the date of his last payment, February 26, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's kidney disability, including oncocytoma and left kidney removal, is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicide agents.