Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for soft tissue sarcoma is denied as the disorder has not been present during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. It was denied as there were no findings of diabetes during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus was rated at 20 percent since August 21, 2006. The Board found that the disability manifested symptoms including required daily-use of insulin and restriction of diet but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and unguim, syncope, asthma, and COPD are granted. However, his claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service entrance, and did not worsen during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated at 20 percent, the minimum evaluation required for insulin and a restricted diet. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The appeal is granted in this regard.

The Veteran's employment with the United States Postal Service ended on November 18, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that he was not precluded from substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which required insulin and regulation of activities since March 8, 2009, is rated at 40 percent effective October 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and whether his current conditions are related to service. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities was 80 percent, as of September 2, 2010. The Board finds that the most probative evidence of record demonstrates that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his claimed herbicide exposure in Korea and review of his pay records to determine if he received combat pay.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination and consideration of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the results of this additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Vietnam-era exposure. The low back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. There is no evidence of a respiratory disability manifested by breathing problems during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran died of diabetes mellitus, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the cause of death was non-service-connected and thus denies basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.