Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, coronary heart disease, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension) have rendered him unemployable.,A total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and CAD, both claimed as the result of herbicide exposure, are granted. The conditions were diagnosed following active service and the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while stationed at Ubon RTAFB.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which substantially contributed to his cause of death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least equally balanced in terms of whether service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability secondary to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as it was not shown in service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the bilateral legs is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records from Dr. Raveesh and to schedule a VA dermatology examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and hypertension are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, to schedule a VA dermatology examination, and to obtain an additional VA medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish service connection for heart disability or diabetes based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD was caused by fear of hostile military activity during his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, liver disorder, and lung disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, allowing for SMC based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since July 12, 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was caused in part by service events and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence assessing his employability based on his service-connected disabilities. He needs a VA examination to assess the impact of his disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea or Guam, and thus denied his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ. The Board has also determined that his kidney failure may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and a skin disorder (chloracne), were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of Agent Orange exposure and a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between service, claimed conditions, and death.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, residuals of a pilonidal cyst and surgery, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral lower extremity disability. The underlying de novo claims for service connection for hypertension and hyperlipidemia are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted effective July 27, 2000. The claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate were denied as there was no increase in severity prior to April 1, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted. His current rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records, authorization for release of medical records, and a statement of the case for the diabetes mellitus claim.