Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of claims related to diabetes mellitus, an increased rating for a right tibia fracture disability, and reopening of a previously denied claim for peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral foot disability. The claim of service connection for hypertension was also remanded to determine if it was secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy is not manifested by episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated. Therefore, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 4, 2011, rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era is presumed, and he was exposed to herbicide agents. The Board finds that his diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to this exposure and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a visual disability and increased rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found no current vision disability, and the Veteran's fluctuating vision was attributed to his diabetes rather than an independent eye condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of control of bodily function, diabetes mellitus, and myofacial cervical and lumbar spine syndrome. The decision found that there was no direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a bilateral foot disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty military service, did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, spine disability, and sleep apnea as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various skin and bone disorders, as well as diabetes mellitus, were denied. The Board found that there was no persuasive scientific or medical evidence suggesting a link between the claimed conditions and any alleged radiation exposure during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for small and large bowel resection, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts, all of which were presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus for the period from January 26, 1995, through August 17, 2000, required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board granted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50 percent. The case is remanded for issuance of an SOC on the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; coronary artery disease; erectile dysfunction; hypertension; diabetic retinopathy; any other eye disability (other than diabetic retinopathy); dry skin (xerosis); bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; neuropathy; and a disability manifested by numbness of the hands are not ready for decision due to lack of probative evidence of a nexus to service.