Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, alleging exposure to herbicides during his service in Guam and Vietnam. The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes was reasonably shown to have had its onset during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, finding new and material evidence. The diabetes mellitus claim is not on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was upheld, as the disability is already at its maximum schedular level under Diagnostic Code 6260. A separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of penile deformity.

The Board found no evidence of a skin or foot disability in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The left knee condition is also not linked to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus prior to October 2, 2007, was manifested by no more than the required use of a restricted diet without requiring medication or regulation of activities. Since October 2, 2007, his condition is manifested by no more than the required use of an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, dizziness, kidney disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction, are not sufficiently disabling to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment given his prior vocational attainment, work history, and level of education.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure. The Board is also considering his claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder including COPD, which he claims was caused by exposure to asbestos, silica, and other chemicals. Both issues are being considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes, eye disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show exposure to herbicides or any other service connection basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II requires insulin and restricted diet, warranting a 40 percent disability rating since the date of service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, claiming it is related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The appeal is currently remanded due to incomplete service records and the need to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU on June 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 40 percent. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also in effect but do not meet the criteria for higher staged ratings.