Diabetes Board decisions

The Board finds that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right upper extremity and/or the right foot due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection applications for right hip disability, left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, residuals of cold injury (feet), and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is based on new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence received by the Veteran, and the RO is instructed to consider this new evidence in its adjudication of the claims.

The Board has determined that the claimant's service connection claims are inextricably intertwined with his diabetes mellitus claim. Therefore, all issues related to secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, depression, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether VA treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the underlying claim for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, while the diabetes mellitus claim requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent each, effective February 28, 2002. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 12, 2004.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, prostate cancer, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's initial or staged rating for diabetes mellitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his condition requires regulation of activities, hospitalizations, or other significant impairment beyond what is contemplated by the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the appellant may be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA compensation purposes, and to obtain a complete copy of the Veteran's VA treatment records. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. Service connection for glaucoma and hypertension were denied as secondary to a service-connected disability, but the claim is pending. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted an initial rating of 10 percent from February 14, 2004, to December 30, 2009, and a rating in excess of 20 percent beginning December 30, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they do not require regulation of activities or deformity of the penis. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied as there is no credible evidence of exposure to herbicides or Vietnam service, and the competent medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence linking his lung disease, coronary artery disease, and chronic renal dysfunction to his period of service. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The appellant is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday, and therefore does not meet the criteria for helpless child benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diabetes and to address issues related to service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident and special monthly compensation based on housebound status.