Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and diabetic retinopathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 18, 2006 through August 26, 2009.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to active service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disability remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure aboard the USS HANCOCK or any other form of service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that it required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pulmonary and cutaneous sarcoidosis, hypertension, diabetes insipidus, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to pancreatic cancer, finding that it was not caused by his diabetes mellitus and unrelated to his active military service. The diabetes mellitus is recognized as associated with exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or presence on land mass of the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran was not granted presumptive service connection based on his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) of another person was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he required such assistance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, which includes erectile dysfunction and mild diabetic retinopathy. The RO has denied the claims for higher ratings as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent effective October 13, 2006. This rating reflects the need for insulin and a restricted diet with biweekly doctor visits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a higher rating for his right ankle disability are being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence and the need for further development, including examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines. The Board has also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no communication prior to August 8, 2007 that could be construed as a pending claim. The effective date is set at August 8, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is unable to perform his current job as a defensive tactics and firearm instructor, nor has there been any change in occupational requirements necessitating additional services. Therefore, an extension of his period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus requires oral medication, insulin and a restricted diet without evidence of avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities or any other regulation of activities. The criteria for an initial increased rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and erectile dysfunction was clearly and unmistakably erroneous and severance was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.