Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure during service, and therefore presumptive service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied as he did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, but the Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's onychomycosis of the toenails with tinea pedis, bilaterally, more closely approximated to the criteria for a 20 percent rating as analogous to scarring.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to service. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints, treatments, or findings of these conditions during his military service. His current diagnoses were first noted many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II are related to service. However, the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus, PTSD service connection, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or service connection for PTSD or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic mononeuritis were reopened, but both conditions were denied as not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, including as due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the denial of his claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder is secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II may be presumed due to herbicide exposure, but there was no evidence of such exposure in service. Service connection for a skin disorder is not addressed as it was remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is due to injuries sustained during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II in service or within one year thereafter, and the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar peripheral neuropathy is in remand status due to the need for additional development and opinions. His pending claim for diabetes mellitus must also be adjudicated before his current claim can be decided.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is rated at 30 percent prior to July 2, 2009 and at 60 percent from July 2, 2009. The effective date of the increased rating remains unclear as it was not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The Board grants entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II rating is being remanded for further action, including a new VA examination and readjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetes mellitus, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.