Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke, and prostate cancer prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial, compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and an effective date prior to April 27, 2007 for a grant of service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the disability was not shown to be productive of industrial impairment warranting a compensable evaluation under the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection, with the hypertension receiving a grant of service connection due to its onset during active duty service. The diabetes mellitus has also been granted service connection, but is rated at 40 percent based on the need for insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including posttraumatic stress disorder will be the subject of a separate decision. The appeal is currently remanded due to missing records and lack of verification of reserve component service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral vascular disease and erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as the evidence does not show that the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue with the notice of disagreement and the need for appropriate action by VA following receipt of the appellant's November 1991 notice of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and his hearing acuity was not shown to be worse than Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, presumed due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), was granted. Service connection for gout of the right great toe was also granted with an initial non-compensable rating, which has since been increased to 20 percent effective October 24, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to outdated medical records and an inadequate examination. Updated VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required to assess his disabilities and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature of his diabetes mellitus and skin cancer diagnoses, and determine if he is entitled to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence exists to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric condition. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and determine the nature and etiology of any existing psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy requires regulation of activities due to its uncontrolled nature, which renders impractical the application of the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the Veteran's activities are regulated as part of the medically prescribed treatment for his diabetes pathology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's skin rash, diagnosed as diabetic dermopathy with advanced necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum bilaterally, is due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and thus the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory conditions (asthma and emphysema), and joint problems were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was previously rated at 20 percent prior to May 19, 2010, is not manifested by regulation of activities or use of insulin for the period from May 19, 2010. Therefore, a higher rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from Dr. I.D., and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability between June 20, 2002 and July 11, 2005.