Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was rated at 40 percent from September 28, 2012, due to the need for regulation of activities as part of medical management. However, he did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or twice monthly visits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as vocational rehabilitation records. He will also be scheduled for examinations related to his diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus granted.,COPD is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure and is therefore granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension (to include as due to diabetes mellitus Type II), or right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. Further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hypertension and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disorder claim remains pending as it involves secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service treatment records and private medical records, as well as VA examination opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes and its complications, PTSD, and hearing loss. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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.