Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The Veteran needs to be provided with another VA examination for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, renal cell carcinoma, was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the criteria for separate evaluations of 30 percent for each foot were not met during the period from January 12, 1998 until May 21, 2001. The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim did not meet the required criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service diagnoses. The issue of service connection for a urinary tract disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and melanoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides in the Philippines.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess his current medical condition, including bilateral knee and diabetes mellitus. The case will then be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 40 percent effective March 17, 2009. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for the condition but not a specific rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination to determine the extent of his remaining foot function and whether he has lost use of either lower extremity due to service-connected disabilities. Relevant medical records from the University of Michigan are also requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer with residual urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension all due to herbicide exposure during service. The evidence did not support a finding of such exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned an initial evaluation of 30 percent, which was increased to 50 percent effective the date of service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent disabling with separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities as well as erectile dysfunction. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fast pulse rate and cardiac arrhythmia are etiologically related to his service-connected hypertension. The preponderance of evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, but erectile dysfunction is found to be present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during his service, and the claimed conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was not considered as it is not related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure, chronic anemia as secondary to prostate cancer and Agent Orange exposure, skin cancer, lumbar spine disability, and residuals of a right leg burn have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including a VA examination and adjudication of intertwined issues. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cerebrovascular accident with right hemiparesis due to ischemic stroke, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that there is no evidence of regulation of activities due to his DM.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is 70 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.