Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease is also granted, but the specific basis of this grant (secondary to service-connected disabilities or otherwise) needs further clarification as it relates to his right fifth toe disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and possibly medical records from Dr. Heath.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed as well.

The Veteran's cause of death, pancreatic cancer, is being reviewed to determine if it was related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board has requested a new medical opinion on this issue.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and CLL, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's service records show he served at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base but not in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since the date of service connection, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU from May 22, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is remanded as the VA examiner found that his diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy do not preclude him from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a TBI examination and adjudication of the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and adenocarcinoma of the prostate due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that the current evidence of record is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable. The case is therefore being remanded for a VA social and industrial survey to assess his overall ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from July 15, 2010 to July 14, 2011.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously diagnosed as PTSD) is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously diagnosed as PTSD), diabetes mellitus type 2 and prostate cancer preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal by comparison, when also considering his level of education, prior work experience and training. Therefore, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes is related to service, including her gastrointestinal condition or depression.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic maculopathy and retinopathy with cataracts.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's left ear disability claim was also addressed but found final due to a prior denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and oropharyngeal cancer, both due to Agent Orange exposure, are being remanded as the VA has not been able to verify his alleged exposure during the relevant time periods.