Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being considered based on new evidence that suggests it may be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and proteinuria is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his conceded exposure to herbicide agents during active military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wounds, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, are being reviewed to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent from August 15, 2005 to August 30, 2007. Since August 31, 2007, the rating has been increased to 40 percent.,Since December 18, 2008, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no credible evidence that he was exposed to herbicides during service or that his conditions are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds that these conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The Board finds that the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus must be denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from asphyxia due to freshwater drowning.

The Veteran is service-connected for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, which are rated at 50% combined. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his mental health condition and diabetes, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and is entitled to presumptions based on such exposure. As a result, the Veteran's current diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is presumed to be due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for the preparation of an SOC regarding his TDIU claim and initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional private medical records. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy are in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as it falls under the presumptive exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.