Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction was denied. The issues of reopening the previously denied bilateral knee disorder and increasing the rating for diabetic nephropathy are also pending.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted service connection as a result of Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam-era service. The other claims for diabetes, neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, residuals of status post right hemicolectomy secondary to bowel perforation from colonoscopy with status post ventral hernia repair and scar, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding his foreign service and to schedule him for examinations to determine the current severity of his duodenal ulcer.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PFB warrants a 60 percent initial rating based on constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The other claims are either denied or not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricability of this issue with other claims, including those for service connection and a disability rating. Additional information regarding employment status and Vet Center records are needed.

The Veteran's cause of death was not found to be service-connected, and the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 15, 2011 were reimbursed as the treatment was rendered in a medical emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Board finds no link between his service-connected conditions and the causes of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic nephropathy. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to his mental health issues and physical limitations.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying overpayment and copayment amounts, and considering whether the Veteran's income was reduced due to these factors. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA eye examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that management of his condition does not warrant a higher rating. Separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart and eye disabilities, as well as his requests for a compensable rating prior to October 17, 2011 for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date was not addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims of reopening service connection for varicose veins, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus to the RO for further review.