Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, which the VA examiner found less likely than not related to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection of the cause of death must be remanded.,Service connection for leukemia is also being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion did not address whether it was secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for prediabetes and enlarged prostate as a result of exposure to herbicides was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and a need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and related secondary conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the primary issue of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in or near the Korean DMZ during service. The issues of service connection for hypertension and bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities are remanded as VA treatment records are needed, and an opinion is required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is related to service and/or secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, effective from the date service connection was established.,An earlier effective date of April 11, 2013, is denied for PTSD as it was received on that date. An effective date of April 23, 2007, is granted for a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is remanded to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes was not related to his active service due to the lack of symptoms within a year of discharge. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and remands for further evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was rated at 40 percent from March 18, 2013 to February 1, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, right eye disability, prostate hypertrophy, and neuropathy of the right hand and left foot have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, a kidney disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Hollister.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded to allow for further investigation and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show an actual requirement of personal assistance from others.,The Board also denied service connection for cause of death as there was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claims were not supported by evidence showing a service-connected condition or contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus with onychomycosis of all the toenails and ED was denied prior to July 11, 2011. From July 11, 2011 to December 21, 2013, a 60 percent rating was granted. After that period, ratings were denied until August 30, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his exposure to toxic herbicide agents during active military service, which is presumed to have caused or contributed substantially to his death.