Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus, type II with minimal background diabetic retinopathy has been granted. He is currently rated at 40 percent prior to February 4, 2010 and the Board finds that this rating is warranted based on regulation of activities in addition to insulin and restricted diet.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for congestive heart failure as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board found that the Veteran's March 2006 notice of disagreement was not timely, and thus denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a neck condition, and a back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to both feet, blood vessel damage, and arthritis of both feet as secondary to diabetes mellitus or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received since a previous denial.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and associated complications, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to manage his insulin pump and administer insulin.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran had qualifying service in Vietnam for the purpose of the herbicide presumption, and thus granted service connection for his type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis. However, further development is needed as neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cardiac disorder have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the right upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 30 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the left upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand is necessary due to insufficient opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and arthritis, are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not establish exposure to herbicides or any other form of in-service injury or disease that could lead to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were denied. The initial ratings assigned upon the award of service connection have been found inadequate.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is being returned for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to June 2, 2010. From June 2, 2010, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is entitled to separate compensable ratings for hypertension and diabetic kidney disease.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with mild induction of cataract and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing medically required regulation of activities due to diabetes, thus denying an increased rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 19, 2011 was also denied.