Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left arm and diabetes mellitus have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received, and there is no indication in the record that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as a result of exposure to herbicides, has been remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged shore leave and potential Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy in both upper extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for examination and development of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service if deemed necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and an involuntary movement disorder, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions in the Veteran's records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with cataracts was rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2008 and at 40 percent beginning on November 2, 2010. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating as of December 15, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 27, 2011.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal includes a request to reopen the claim of diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, which has not been developed or certified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and ensuring all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and a heart condition have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that would support these conditions. The Board finds the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply to this case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure is denied because he does not currently have the condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as he is currently civilly committed to a secure mental health facility and thus barred from receiving TDIU benefits due to his felony convictions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claim will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty military service and could not be linked to a service-connected disability.