Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His right leg PVD was rated at 20 percent prior to September 2011 and 60 percent thereafter, his left leg PVD was rated at 20 percent prior to September 2011 and 60 percent thereafter, his erectile dysfunction is rated noncompensably (0%), and his bilateral nuclear cataracts and open angle glaucoma are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was not listed as an issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, as well as diabetes mellitus type II, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on direct service connection criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and reopening claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gout, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. He also seeks TDIU benefits. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required for employment, considering his education and occupational experience.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. He seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, higher ratings for depressive disorder and ischemic heart disease, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, knee and back disorders, hypertension, genitourinary issues, skin conditions, arthritis, traumatic brain injury, fibromyalgia, Reiter's syndrome, autoimmune disorder, hand and elbow disorders, and kidney problems. The decision also denied a temporary total rating for convalescence purposes due to right thumb fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that the VA examiner's opinion, based on review of the claims file and discussion of DSM-IV criteria, determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for accrued benefits is untimely.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is appropriately compensated by the currently assigned 20 percent disability evaluation. The Veteran does not use insulin or regulate his activities to manage his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing his appeal for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's kidney disability is not service-connected, but his diabetes mellitus with cataracts and glaucoma are granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as there is no credible evidence of their onset during or within one year after service, nor any link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension and bilateral knee condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, securing SSA disability benefits application records, and scheduling a VA social and industrial survey.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's liver condition and its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.