Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not rated higher than 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities were increased to 60 percent effective February 2, 2012.,Diabetic neuropathy of both right and left lower extremities is now rated at 60 percent from February 2, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumed conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the appeal to obtain deck logs from the Veteran's naval service in the Republic of Vietnam, as it is unclear if he was exposed to herbicides. The issues on appeal concern whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been granted a 10 percent rating effective September 9, 2008. His diabetes mellitus claim remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy and ischemic maculopathy were found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Both conditions have been granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not found to require regulation of activities prior to April 25, 2012.,Prior to April 25, 2012, the right foot disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is due to herbicide exposure or proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension was caused by his service-connected PTSD, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The effective date for the TDIU claim is set at August 13, 2007, when the Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service. The decision also addressed peripheral neuropathy and atrial fibrillation, finding them secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the current severity of his diabetes mellitus, as well as whether his hypertension is related to his diabetes or another service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability, and depression as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as due to alleged exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is also denied.

The Veteran's nephropathy, characterized as toxic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, is now rated at 30 percent disabling effective February 4, 2013. His erectile dysfunction and hypertension are already service-connected.