Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to medications taken for her service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for osteochondroma of the left fifth toe was denied due to lack of a causal nexus to military service, and this decision became final.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, and tinnitus, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Veteran is requesting to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the right hand, sleep apnea, and a nasal condition. The Board has remanded these cases due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his current disability levels. A TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent and requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities or result in hospitalizations or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently being considered for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis, status-post stenting. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequate opinion provided by the April 2008 VA examiner regarding whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability status post surgery. The flat feet/foot disability (pes planus) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding the current residuals of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. Additionally, VA must attempt to obtain all relevant medical records from Fort Campbell.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. His diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, with the need for oral hypoglycemic agents but no regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right eye disability residual to embolic stroke, and clogging of the right carotid artery as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Medical evidence did not support a finding of separate disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the July 2000 rating decision, which granted a 60 percent disability evaluation for diabetes mellitus with sexual dysfunction and retinopathy, was based on clear and unmistakable error. The Veteran's service-connected condition required insulin and a restricted diet or oral hypoglycemic agent, but no regulation of activities were documented.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and whether coronary artery disease is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but denied service connection for diabetes. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active military service, while his diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated by any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's Type-II diabetes mellitus was initially rated at 20 percent prior to February 8, 2010 and increased to 40 percent since then.,His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity with rigidity and bradykinesis has been rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since that date. His right lower extremity condition was also rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since then.,The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is set at August 28, 1998.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disease, lung disorder, left foot disability, ulcers, and an eye disability were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions at the time of his death.