Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, which is related to verified in-service stressors.,Service connection was denied for a neurological disorder of the legs due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were not incurred in service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and visual impairment, finding that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his active military service. The Board also found no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's surviving spouse does not meet the criteria for an increased rate of DIC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, rated at 40 percent disabling since August 9, 2007, and associated disabilities have brought his combined rating to 70 percent. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU effective from March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine his actual service in Vietnam and whether he was exposed to herbicides. The secondary service-connection claims will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring proper notice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Lakeland Regional Medical Center from October 4, 2009, to October 11, 2009, were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his condition and lack of feasible VA or government facility availability. The expenses incurred at Bartow Regional Medical Center on October 4, 2009, were not reimbursable as the claim was filed outside the 90-day period.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions require regulation of activities, which is a necessary criterion for any rating above 20 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 was dismissed because no timely Notice of Disagreement was filed within the one-year period following notification of the January 2006 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to Vietnam service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his duodenal ulcer is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for prostate disability and diabetes mellitus are granted due to herbicide exposure in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed prostate cancer and throat disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. His erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities are secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for liver damage and psoriasis as they were not related to his military service.,No new and material evidence was presented to reopen any of these claims.