Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation services has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a review of his current service-connected disabilities and employment status.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or related to his active duty service, and denied the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to consider the combined functional effects of all service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and vision disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, including National Guard duty. The Board denied both claims as the evidence does not establish that he was disabled from these conditions during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or Federal service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus from August 8, 2012 to March 26, 2013. The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy. The RO denied the claim based on a 1997 paper from the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus. A VA examination is required to determine if the condition was present prior to or during active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating for diabetic nephropathy from 30% to 0% was proper. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability claimed as chloracne was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and/or diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and were not shown to be attributable to his period of service. The appeal was denied as there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or hypertension in service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has requested an opinion on whether his PTSD or diabetes mellitus may have aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence of onset during active service or a nexus to service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction were also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in or near the DMZ and therefore service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various conditions, including CLL and diabetes. The Board has ordered additional development to address the sufficiency of evidence regarding these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus did not onset in service or within one year of his separation from service and was not caused by his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, effective from August 12, 2014. The effective date is not earlier than November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.