Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, right leg numbness, itchy eyes, failing eyesight, constant thirst, frequent urination and shortness of breath. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service or exposure to herbicides/radiation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a nervous disorder or diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for service connection for chronic low back strain, right eye disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, rated at 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913, is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is significantly responsible for his inability to engage in any type of gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. Service connection for diabetes and hypertension are also granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected inactive TB residuals. Additionally, he must be provided with an SOC regarding the issues of increased ratings for bilateral onychomycosis, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy as well as service connection for hallux valgus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot ulcers, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination in connection with his hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, thyroid disability, and psychiatric disability are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for all periods considered, thus denying his claim for NSC pension benefits.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was rated at 20 percent prior to March 29, 2011 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The RO found that his symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for dental trauma, scars of the head, face and chest, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a previous opinion rendered by the same VA examiner who had previously examined the Veteran. The claim of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations, as well as his reopenings of service connection claims. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen some of these claims.

The Board has determined that the termination of TDIU was improper due to good cause and has restored the Veteran's TDIU from May 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's cause of death. The claims for accrued benefits are also pending and must be addressed before further adjudication can occur.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (claimed as due to herbicide exposure), abdominal aortic aneurysm, and cardiovascular disease are being remanded for further development. The RO is instructed to verify the nature of the Veteran's service in Thailand and any associated alleged herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his diabetes mellitus requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to his military service.