Diabetes decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the reduction in rating for hypertension from 60% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, a heart disorder, and retinal detachment. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted, with a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, neuropathy, retinopathy, renal failure, and a foot ulcer due to lack of evidence verifying the Veteran's presence in Vietnam. The new evidence received since July 2002 is cumulative and redundant.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board denied entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that he was already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus and that his PTSD claim lacked legal merit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its associated secondary conditions, due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer residuals are related to his service in Vietnam. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent, and his initial noncompensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy from January 2006 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2007, and at a noncompensable rating since that date.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus and a cardiovascular disorder including hypertension, which he attributes to exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea. The case is remanded due to the need for further development of unit records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings are being remanded due to incomplete notice under the VCAA, need for additional medical opinions, and need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's eye impairments secondary to diabetes mellitus are manifested by corrected distant visual acuity reported as no worse than 20/20 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The criteria for a separate compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, insulin dependent, and hypertension are not rated higher than the current evaluations of 40 percent and 10 percent respectively. The Veteran's tinea pedis is not compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for cause of death. The appellant did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support her belief that the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his arteriosclerotic heart disease or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, effective May 1, 2008. The reduction from 40 to 20 percent was found to be void ab initio due to lack of sustained improvement in the disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, determining whether the Veteran engaged in combat during service, and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus based on his claimed exposure to herbicides in service. The case is REMANDED due to the need to obtain additional evidence, including service personnel records and medical records from Social Security Administration.