Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the Veteran did not have a current disability that may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service disease/injury related to the conditions, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive provisions. For the hearing loss claim, the Veteran's disability did not manifest within one year after service, nor does he have a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for compensation.

The Veteran's hypertension was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the August 2002 RO decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, Peyronie's disease, and other conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and work experience as an administrator.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, meet the minimum schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for further consideration due to issues with the medical opinions provided and incomplete private treatment records.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with back strain, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, but denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is a result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service or exposure to chemical agents, herbicides, or insecticides.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have been granted service connection as presumptively related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board has also found that the Veteran's bladder spasms/pain and rectal pain are secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange, and the condition has become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more following service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria during the appeal period. His current diagnosed condition is bipolar disorder, which the VA examiner opined was less likely related to his military service.

The reduction in the rating for service-connected Type II DM with erectile dysfunction from 40% to 20% effective April 29, 2005 was improper. The Veteran's condition continues to require insulin and restricted diet or oral hypoglycemic agent.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as it was managed without requiring insulin or restricted diet and regulation of activities. For the Veteran's cardiovascular condition, the VA examiner concluded that it was not caused by ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and whether he is unemployable due to these conditions. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.