Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, diabetes mellitus to include pseudophakia, tinnitus, and residual scar of the right ear) are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and right wrist disability are rated at the maximum levels allowed by law. The left wrist disorder, asthma, and skin disability claims have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, collectively render him unemployable since November 5, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to initial compensable rating for pharyngitis is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and his claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, lymphoma, and ischemic heart disease, were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for back problems, bilateral foot problems (claimed as no arches), diabetes mellitus, fractured ankle, sleep apnea, and stomach problem.,None of the Veteran's claimed conditions are shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is dismissing the diabetes claim due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability due to diabetes mellitus attributable to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, urethral discharge, bilateral knee arthritis, sinusitis, stomach cramps and bleeding ulcer with blood transfusion are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, other than his sheltered self-employment. The criteria for TDIU were met, for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 24, 2006. The combined service-connected disability rating was only 60 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's service records confirm he served as a fire protection specialist at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand from September 1971 to February 1972. However, there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during his service.,Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were not shown to be related to service or any period of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction that he claims were caused by VA treatment. The case has been remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to VA care.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, and increased ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and informing the Veteran of his right to representation. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

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

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also addressed.