Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least eight years before his death, and the appellant is not entitled to increased DIC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board finds that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU. The case is REMANDED to obtain information related to the Veteran's Social Security claim and financial status, as well as clarify whether the Veteran still desires a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostatic hypertrophy are being remanded due to the need for further research into his claimed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if the Veteran has Type I or Type II diabetes based on all of the evidence, including a June 2003 C-peptide test results.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for low back disability, residuals of head injury (other than headaches), right leg disability, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular disability, diabetic retinopathy, throat disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was assigned a 10 percent rating prior to March 17, 2008 and a 20 percent rating from that date. The Board found no evidence of the need for insulin or regulation of activities due to diabetes mellitus before March 17, 2008, and thus denied an increased rating beyond these levels.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 25, 2004, or from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and a VA examination is needed to assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there were no prior claims or intentions to file a claim before February 9, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine if he is unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The RO has denied the veteran's claims for service connection, including those related to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis is not warranted. The Veteran's claims of secondary service connection were also denied as there was no evidence to support such a claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and heart disability, were denied as the evidence did not show a link to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying service in Vietnam and obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetic retinopathy was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current visual acuity and field of vision.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on the basis that it is aggravated by a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service and insufficient medical opinion linking his current condition to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and addressing issues related to CUE in rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.