Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected conditions. The Parkinson's disease claim related to presumed herbicides exposure will also be referred back to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to procedural development needs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board or video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II does not require insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. Therefore, the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disability is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran contends that these disabilities are more severe than the current ratings suggest.,The Veteran has not provided any evidence to support a higher rating for either of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves a request for increased ratings for his headaches and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, and determine if higher ratings are warranted or if service connection is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or due to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as additional records are needed and an examination is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right hip, low back, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. However, further development is needed to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and to provide a thorough examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, which required insulin and a restricted diet, warrants a 20 percent evaluation from March 30, 1990 to October 6, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease, leading to fatal cardiac dysrhythmia. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.