Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service exposure to herbicides that would support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II and did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The claim was denied as there is no current disability resulting from service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Korea, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and low back disorder claims are being remanded for additional development, including consideration of herbicide exposure allegations and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes mellitus, hypertension with proteinuria (due to diabetic nephropathy), or other service-connected conditions required regulation of activities or insulin use. The Veteran was also found not to meet criteria for a higher rating based on complications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during service and therefore entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claim of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2, remains pending as it was not decided in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities with bilateral Charcot deformities and degenerative joint disease of the ankles and feet result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, allowing him to be granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and a medical examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current severity, with some issues receiving higher ratings than others. The overall disposition is denied for all claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected pigmentary change of the fovea of the right eye resulted in visual impairment and a visual field defect, warranting a 10 percent disability rating from April 19, 2002, to December 13, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is higher than what he seeks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides while stationed in Thailand. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, right hand Dupuytren's contracture, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are not service-connected as they were not shown during active duty or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, thus granting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.