Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent effective July 27, 2007. His acne remained at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while diabetes mellitus (type II), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise etiologically related.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of his medical records.

The Veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if service connection is warranted for diabetes mellitus, including whether it is related to exposure to herbicides or PTSD. The Veteran's representative also requested a determination on secondary service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 14, 2012, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service and because there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, and his coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's kidney disorder, as it was first diagnosed after service and is associated with his post-service diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma and likely had such disease as a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with neuropathy did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be causally related to his service-connected Crohn's ileitis. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.

The Board finds that the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death from an intracranial hemorrhage. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, dyslipidemia, and hemorrhoids due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and circulatory problems of the feet and legs are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that these disabilities were not incurred in service.