Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for a skin disability, finding that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the requested evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD have been withdrawn by the appellant. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities to control his diabetes. Therefore, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his death, as well as whether his renal cell carcinoma was related to herbicide exposure. The appellant will be given another opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the ratings of major depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, thus the Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination or opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had diabetes mellitus, type I during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, with associated complications, is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent effective September 14, 2015.

The Board has ordered another remand due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development and readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder and anxiety), and ischemic heart disease as these conditions are not shown to be related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nephropathy was denied in June 2003. The RO granted the claim on November 28, 2005, and assigned a 100% rating effective from that date. However, as he did not meet the duration requirement for enhanced DIC benefits, his claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 3, 2012.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since November 18, 2005. The effective date for the increased rating of PTSD remains unclear due to pending development. Other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to May 23, 2016 is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for these conditions. His hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is not etiologically related to her active duty service, or any period of ADT or IDT, and did not manifest within a presumptive period. The Board also determined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was proximately due to or the result of her service-connected cholecystectomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for mesothelioma was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings and a TDIU was granted. He is now rated at 100 percent for coronary artery disease, 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and 20 percent each for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities since December 11, 2014. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran is seeking higher rates of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. The Board will need to determine if he meets the criteria for SMC at the 'r' rate due to loss of use of both feet or the need for A&A based solely on his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 50 percent disabling effective October 11, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.