Diabetes decisions — 2006

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an examination and consideration of whether diabetes or its secondary heart condition has aggravated the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis have been met.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, effective from the date of the decision. The initial left shoulder disorder evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contributed to his death, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, including due to inservice exposure to herbicides. The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's claimed exposure and to consider all submitted evidence.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus and an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the veteran's claims.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective December 11, 2000.,For diabetes mellitus, the claim is pending and no effective date has been assigned yet.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 18, 1994 for a total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim was not raised before this date and there is no evidence of service-connected disabilities that rendered the veteran unable to work within one year of this date.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with a rating of 20 percent effective January 30, 2002. The veteran's hypertension claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Muskogee, Oklahoma Regional Office. The veteran's request for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is addressed separately.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular renal disease, loss of vision in the right eye, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of PTSD treatment and arranging for an examination to determine if the service-connected disabilities alone render the veteran unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury with an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure is denied.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, the highest rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic diabetic right foot and left foot ulcer residuals, which he claims developed due to inadequate care during a December 2002 hospitalization at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking his death to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ due to his erectile dysfunction, as he still retains some ability to engage in intercourse and there is no evidence of complete sterility or psychosocial impairment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain updated evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and did not reopen the claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder with history of major depression.