Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arrhythmic heart rate, diabetic retinopathy, sleep apnea, and right heel spur. The claim for dental disability (tooth #8) was granted as a matter of law due to trauma during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The disabilities are not presumed due to military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of increased rating for diabetes mellitus and reopening the arthritis claim are not before the Board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded for additional development to determine the type, nature, and degree of his claimed PCB exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 22, 2008.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities as of June 3, 2009.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus-associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been granted, with a 40% rating assigned for the right upper extremity effective March 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, finding that his diabetes did not require regulation of activities as contemplated by the applicable rating criteria. The low back disability was granted but with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for his claimed conditions. The medical evidence showed no current diagnoses of diabetes, heart condition, or prostate cancer, and there was no competent credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination reports and to consider whether a separate evaluation for diabetic retinopathy should be assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in service, and therefore his claims for diabetes mellitus II and coronary artery disease are granted as they are presumed related to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities as per VA regulations, and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, but denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's hearing request. The Veteran is entitled to a videoconference hearing at the earliest opportunity.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for chronic renal disease, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent medical records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2014. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 50 percent.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding no new and material evidence since the prior denial. The Veteran was not found to have stepped foot in Vietnam during his military service.