Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to potential in-service exposure to Agent Orange and a need for further examination regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. His claim for increased rating of diabetic retinopathy is also denied due to lack of any related visual impairment.

The Veteran's hypertension, myopathic syndrome and muscle disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II were not incurred during a period of active duty service or within one year of discharge.,Hyperlipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 2, 2010, is also being remanded.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the Board finding that it was not properly addressed in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy, with cataracts and associated presbyopia and ametropia, is currently rated at 30 percent from March 5, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure in Panama and conduct further development regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after service. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims. The Board found that his Merchant Marine service in 1968 did not qualify as active duty U.S. military service, thus VA disability benefits cannot be granted based on this exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's DM and ischemic heart disease are related to his service, including a period of ACDUTRA. The claims for these conditions were granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's National Guard service dates and obtain any associated records. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure is reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease due to Agent Orange exposure is also reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 16, 2005 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. The earliest possible effective date is June 29, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or use of upper or lower extremities, blindness, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, deep partial or full thickness burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaption grant are not met.