Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining statements from a potential witness regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating of type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral vascular disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes required regulation of activities, and his peripheral neuropathy was not shown to be compensable.

The Board found that current hypertension is not caused by, or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease by, service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining statements from a friend who served with him and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of regulation of activities or hospitalizations due to ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and finds new evidence sufficient to establish an in-service stressor. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II and glaucoma are denied as there is no competent and credible evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for a lumbar spine disability. The other issues are either granted or referred to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal regarding the reopening of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and seeks increased ratings for various conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his PVD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC was granted, and the effective date for this grant was set at May 13, 2014. The Veteran also received an earlier effective date for his entitlement to SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, combine to render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, PTSD, coronary artery disease, connective tissue disorder, tinnitus, and appendectomy, produce sufficient impairment to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, reopening the underlying claims. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the hands, psoriasis, a lower extremity disability, an undiagnosed respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to commercial herbicides at the San Diego Naval Base and to obtain a medical opinion on whether his diabetes mellitus is related to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, considered in combination, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 15, 2010, and that no disability(ies) distinct from those considered in the 100 percent combined schedular rating effective from October 15, 2010 rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive induction into a vocational rehabilitation program was denied because the training he pursued during his initial period did not meet the criteria of being applicable to his disability, consistent with his abilities and interests.