Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and hypertension were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities he claims are the result of VA medical treatment, and he disputes that his disabilities were due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity to attend the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted due to exposure to herbicides. The issue of a TDIU is also addressed, with the Veteran being found eligible.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral eye disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The skin disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected hypertension. The appeals for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate condition have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were granted, with the rating for ischemic heart disease being increased to 30 percent effective July 7, 2015. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type 2 are both granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a service connection claim were denied. The Board found no evidence to support higher evaluations or new material evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated based on the criteria for a 10 percent rating due to occasional dizziness and light-headedness, but not meeting the criteria for an increased 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires prescription medication including insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities). The disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, back disability, right leg disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hand disability are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his period of active service in Korea and concedes this exposure. As such, service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been rated at 40 percent since February 10, 2006. The RO found that there was clear and unmistakable error in the July 2014 rating decision and granted an even earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy, left eye has not resulted in vision that meets the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. The Board finds no evidence of impairment warranting any higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes, small fiber diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities associated with diabetes, hypertension associated with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities associated with diabetes, and erectile dysfunction) were rated 80 percent combined and shared a common etiology. They are shown to have rendered him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.