Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Lakeland Regional Medical Center from October 4, 2009, to October 11, 2009, were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his condition and lack of feasible VA or government facility availability. The expenses incurred at Bartow Regional Medical Center on October 4, 2009, were not reimbursable as the claim was filed outside the 90-day period.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions require regulation of activities, which is a necessary criterion for any rating above 20 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 was dismissed because no timely Notice of Disagreement was filed within the one-year period following notification of the January 2006 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to Vietnam service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his duodenal ulcer is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for prostate disability and diabetes mellitus are granted due to herbicide exposure in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed prostate cancer and throat disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. His erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities are secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for liver damage and psoriasis as they were not related to his military service.,No new and material evidence was presented to reopen any of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus type II or hypertension due to service connection, as there was no evidence of onset during service and no link between current conditions and military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hepatic and renal failure due to sepsis, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis).

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial rating for hypertension has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. His current 60 percent evaluation for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is encompassed in the renal dysfunction rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 1 is not considered to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disability did not manifest during service and was not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to an herbicide agent (i.e., Agent Orange) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish herbicide exposure during service and thus, service connection could not be granted on a presumptive basis. Additionally, there is no evidence of record suggesting direct service connection for diabetes mellitus. For his stomach disorder claim, the Veteran's current GERD diagnosis was deemed unrelated to military service by the VA examiner in February 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.