Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus with early diabetic nephropathy was denied. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 3, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent from that date forward were not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The rating for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension was also denied as there were no manifestations of kidney pathology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required insulin for a period prior to March 23, 2001 and is now controlled by diet alone. Therefore, an initial rating of 20 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, based on the presumption of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or any other service-connected skin disability. The evidence does not support his claim for service connection for PTSD based on an in-service stressor, and there is no competent medical evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disability to active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated based on the need for insulin treatment and dietary restrictions.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 14, 2008, and 30 percent from April 14, 2008.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity has been rated based on mild symptoms such as diminished sensation and reflexes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated at a non-compensable level (null rating).,The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy has been rated based on visual acuity levels prior to April 14, 2008, and the severity of his vision impairment from that date forward.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the Board finds no evidence to support a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes and coronary artery disease) satisfy the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, but it remains unclear whether the functional impairment associated with these conditions is of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and finds that it is incurred as a result of military service. The effective date for the increased rating for bronchial asthma remains unchanged at May 10, 2002.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred during active military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no current diagnosis of the condition and noting that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also found that the Veteran had been exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam but concluded that he did not have diabetes mellitus type II related to this exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II did not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent. The issues of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were also addressed, but the decision is not provided here.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I was not timely filed and thus denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for diabetes mellitus (DM) and a separate compensable evaluation for hypertension associated with DM was denied. The evidence did not support the need for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or for a grant for necessary special home adaptations was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such eligibility due to his service-connected disabilities.