Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The Board also found that his claim for TDIU was not raised by the record.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy is not rated higher than 30 percent, and his peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of atherosclerosis and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, attributing it to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in active duty due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran was in receipt of a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus, which required insulin and a restricted diet.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The evidence submitted since the last final denial is considered new and material, as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (the need for a link between diabetes and exposure to herbicides).

The Veteran's adult helpless child, D.S.R., is receiving $37 in apportionment benefits. The Board has determined that an additional $50 per month would not cause undue hardship on the Veteran and grants a $50 increase in his apportionment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service-connected conditions. The lung disorder is not shown to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, but may be due to obesity and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not show that he required insulin, a restricted diet or regulation of activities to manage his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, which was previously rated at 10 percent, has been maintained as such. The RO denied an increased rating and did not grant service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for his diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence that he requires regulation of activities or use of insulin due to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and exposure claims, as well as a need to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and hypertension have been rated appropriately, with a higher rating granted for the right shoulder disorder effective November 14, 2009. Service connection has not been established for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral background retinopathy and total loss of sexual potency requires insulin, restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. There is also no evidence of visual impairment greater than 20/30 in both eyes.

The Board denied service connection for periodontal disease claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus and denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of his Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) from 1987 to 2003.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence and other issues not yet addressed by the agency of original jurisdiction.