Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issues of service connection for nuclear sclerotic cataracts as secondary to diabetes mellitus and an initial increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for renal glycosuria and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, did not render him unemployable prior to September 1, 2009. The RO denied his claim for a TDIU rating as he was found to be unemployable due to nonservice-connected factors such as arthritis and felony convictions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after service connection for PTSD is determined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's competency. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and it may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring frequent hospitalization and treatment appointments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes, were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 21, 2007, for the grant of service connection for diabetes was denied. The Board found that no communication indicating intent to apply for this benefit existed before February 21, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective September 26, 2007. The diabetes issue is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral onychomycosis do not warrant higher ratings. The decision also grants an effective date prior to February 5, 2003 for service connection of diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric problems are related to his military service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claims is remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the severity of his hearing loss, as well as an assessment of his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the existence of diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including bronchial asthma, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of both knees, and cataract, are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life and sufficiently severe to prevent him from following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants nonservice-connected pension benefits based on permanent and total disability.