Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of whether regulation of activities is required for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and entitlement to special monthly compensation is denied due to clear and unmistakable error in granting these conditions based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus is related to his active duty military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has interfered with his employability, preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as reopening of his cirrhosis claim, were granted. The Veteran was also found to have diabetic retinopathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for service connection have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 4, 2003 for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied as there was no indication that he had filed an earlier claim.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 25, 2004 for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left shoulder was granted with an effective date of July 12, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the current condition is not related to his military service. The claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of a fractured coccyx are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and coronary artery disease are not related to service or any service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and retinopathy were denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, retinopathy, and nephropathy was reduced from 40% to 20%, effective November 1, 2007. The decision also granted a higher rating for the period prior to November 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II, in service or for many years after separation. The Veteran's claim was denied as there is not sufficient medical evidence to link his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of COPD, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected diabetes mellitus type II was granted, but the Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied as there is no current diagnosis or established link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the Board after resolving this matter.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's vision disorder claim is denied, but his PTSD claim is reopened. He is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.