Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for macular degeneration, finding no direct or secondary relationship to his service-connected conditions. The arthritis of the spine claim was also denied.

Service connection for frostbite injury of the left and right feet was granted with an initial disability rating of 30 percent effective September 15, 2000.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The issue of special monthly compensation for loss of use of creative organ is inextricably intertwined with the secondary service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes and neuromuscular dystrophy did not have their onset in active military service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and has not otherwise been shown to be related to service. Service connection was denied for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable disability rating, and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for increased ratings was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, a tumor, and leukocytosis due to radiation exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted due to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, as he set foot on land or served on inland waters of Vietnam during his active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7913.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity has been granted a 40 percent disability rating effective June 30, 2008. The left upper extremity is rated at 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during his Navy service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible chemical exposures during his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 30, 2006, for the grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to June 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Korea, is being remanded for additional development. The Department of the Army will be requested to provide records related to basketball tournaments played by the 7th Infantry Division and Eighth Army Conference teams during his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied because the prescribed medication used for his service-connected disabilities did not cause permanent damage to his outer garments, and he does not qualify under the regulation due to lack of a skin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease but denied all other claims due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has not required insulin and regulation of activities, thus the current 20% rating for this condition is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The low back disorder is also service connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus) has been established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim is granted as presumptive service connection can be established based on this evidence.