Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded. The Board also finds that the RO made an error in denying a petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, and he should be provided with an SOC on this issue.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been granted. The claims to reopen service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are 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, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The examiner will provide opinions on whether the condition was incurred during ACDUTRA service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is compensably disabling and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities. However, his claims for service connection are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these disabilities to active military service or to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent each since March 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the need for a VA examination to address his lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service. The other issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the resolution of the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus, claimed as the result of herbicide exposure, is granted due to his presumed exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2; and peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is service connected as due to herbicide exposure during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the February 2005 rating decision granting service connection for diabetes was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus the claim to restore service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as the Veteran did not provide a stressor event.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's conditions were not shown during service or within one year following discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his active or inactive duty service, and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions (HTN, ED, CAD, and DMII) are not shown to be directly related to his service or a service-connected disability. The claims were denied as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and a skin disorder with scars, all of which were deemed not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and review of the evidence, including obtaining private treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the diagnosis on which service connection was predicated.