Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II does not require a higher disability evaluation due to the lack of evidence showing that it necessitates regulation of activities. The criteria for an increased rating are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XIX are currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is granted. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for scarring of the abdominal region. The issue of TDIU from October 28, 2005 remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes has been denied as the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examination without providing any reason.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his left knee disability rating was found to be improper. The Veteran did not have new and material evidence submitted to reopen several of his claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, but remands it for further development and consideration.

The Board finds that the appellant was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 22, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than October 22, 2007 for a TDIU is not factually ascertainable.

The Veteran's service-connected AL amyloidosis, Type II diabetes mellitus, and tinea versicolor contributed to his death from sepsis. The Board finds that the service-connected conditions affected vital organs in a manner that left him less capable of resisting the effects of other disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for a review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II are currently rated at the maximum available evaluations. The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II is established as March 11, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and consideration of all service-connected disabilities in determining employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for a disorder of the feet, including peripheral neuropathy, is also granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all six issues, including the rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection claims for multiple myeloma, back pain, anemia, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides while serving in Thailand. The Board finds that VA needs to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records (SPRs) to determine if he served in proximity to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base and thus potentially exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The effective date of the right elbow disorder is also denied.,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus, type II; however, an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, and there is no evidence of any fault on the part of VA. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to the femoral fracture.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction was dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeal of the PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the cause of death and DIC claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected back disability and his death.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for amputation of the left great toe is granted at a 30 percent level, based on metatarsal involvement. The claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at a private facility was denied due to the denial being based on care not related to a service-connected or aggravating condition, and because Medicare covered his costs. The VAMC will need to obtain additional records and provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated the medical condition for which he sought treatment.