Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether diabetes mellitus was a primary or contributing cause of death, and how it may apply to the Veteran's causes of death. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded to provide a VA examination and address the issue of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's upper extremities/hand function is preserved, including grasping and manipulation. The Veteran has not lost the use of either arm or hand.

The Veteran's case is being remanded to allow him to participate in a Board hearing before a Member of the Board. The appeal involves service connection for COPD, which may be secondary or aggravated by diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, result in a combined 80 percent evaluation and preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The claim for hypertension is reopened.

The Board has ordered additional development to consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure to herbicides and any direct service connection. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran currently has diabetic retinopathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, and whether he has a current back disorder that was caused or aggravated by his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for diabetes mellitus, flat feet, and low back injury are being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion from a specialist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's pancreatic cancer and his presumed herbicide exposure and/or chronic diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining ships logs and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need to provide notice in accordance with Kent v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type I diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee scar is rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peptic ulcer disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for arthritis of the right knee was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Diabetes mellitus and peptic ulcer disease were not shown within one year of service separation, and there is no current disability associated with either condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for diabetic retinopathy of both eyes, effective November 25, 2008. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities remains pending.