Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus is pending and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran did not set foot on Vietnam soil, thus making it impossible to apply the provisions of presumptive service connection for herbicide exposure. As a result, the claims for diabetes mellitus and its related conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 10, 2004. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's reported in-service combat-related stressors are sufficient to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy is remanded due to receipt of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision. Therefore, the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment are not met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical examination. The examiner will assess whether his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the conditions and active duty. The secondary claim for coronary artery disease due to diabetes was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for lower extremity neuropathies is not addressed as the issues were recharacterized.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, with effective dates of November 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C7, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for degraded visual acuity and granted a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock, bacteremia, and transient ischemic attack. The Board finds that the service-connected diabetes mellitus has played a role in producing or hastening the Veteran's death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for travel pay to obtain a prosthetic leg and shower leg from the Institute for Advancement in Prosthetics (IAP) in Lansing, Michigan was granted as it is deemed necessary due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as claims for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. The case is being remanded due to the need to address a clear and unmistakable error in the August 2002 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical opinions. The appeal involves multiple issues arising from different rating decisions spanning over two decades.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining the extent of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical evidence.