Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, so no increase in rating is warranted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, he has been employed in a protected environment and currently earns income that exceeds the poverty threshold for one person. The evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, DDD of the thoracic spine, sinusitis, and varicose veins are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, as well as an evaluation by a vocational specialist to determine if he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The claims for hyperlipidemia, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include rating claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and nerve conditions, as well as questions regarding tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and testicular cancer. This includes obtaining reserve service records, verifying exposure to ionizing radiation, herbicides, toxic chemicals, and other potential exposures during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran did not have qualifying service in Vietnam for purposes of presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding the criteria for an increased evaluation of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset during service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that these conditions were not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Diabetes Mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's skin cancer and prostate cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for IHD was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition has led to secondary hip, back, and respiratory conditions. The Board granted the claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 7, 2004. The Veteran's tinnitus was also rated at 10 percent and the effective date assigned is also June 7, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was initially shown to require regulation of activities on the March 22, 2012 VA examination. He has not had episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions that required hospitalization.,Prior to March 22, 2012, the Veteran's right calf strain and right Achilles tendonitis did not manifest in any muscle injury or ankle impairment. From March 22, 2012, the disability was manifested by tenderness to palpation and pain on movement, with no limitation of motion of the ankle.,Prior to February 24, 2012, the Veteran's vitiligo did not involve an exposed area. Vitiligo first involved an exposed area on that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection, concluding that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.