Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus Type II disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 80 percent. The evidence shows that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and that the current condition did not develop during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg disorder, skin disorder, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and that there was no direct or presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD, multiple joint disease of the neck, back and feet, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, and a lung disorder. The Veteran's CAD, multiple joint disease of the neck, back and feet, diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease are not considered to be related to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires daily use of oral medication and insulin, but does not require a restricted diet or regulation of activities. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his naval service.

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

The Board has restored the service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy after finding that the severance was improper due to a clear and unmistakable error in granting presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides during his tour of duty in Guam. The Board has determined that further verification is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service and his diabetes mellitus is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease with disc herniation and nerve compression at L4-5, diabetes mellitus, and a left foot condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not manifested in service or within a year following his discharge, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying herbicide exposure and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied due to lack of in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal insufficiency and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the absence of proteinuria or microalbuminuria since the diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, recurrent left tibia fractures, PTSD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were all rated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during active military service and therefore presumptively presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective February 10, 2006 due to her service-connected fibromyalgia. Prior to this date, she was not shown by medical evidence of record to be unemployable solely due to her service-connected disabilities.