Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment at Saint Louise Regional Hospital is being remanded for clarification on his service-connected disabilities and further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with duty to assist and additional development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for hepatitis C was granted but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus or erectile dysfunction.

The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence shows that on 'bad days,' he requires assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and taking medications.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied. His hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand, has been remanded. The case needs further development including a VA examination and review of the claims folder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is established, based on his multiple disabilities including seizure disorder, hypertension, diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and diabetic neuropathy. As a result, SMP benefits are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, stage III, with urinary hematuria; diabetes mellitus, type II; and dyslipidemia. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection of peripheral vascular disease and found that his reduction from a 10% to a 0% rating for diabetic retinopathy was not proper. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for diabetic retinopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for concurrent payment of his military retired pay and VA service-connected disability compensation is denied due to the absence of legal merit or lack of entitlement under the law.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and private facilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current level of disability associated with his service-connected diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction were not granted service connection or increased rating.

The Board has restored the service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all types of gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.