Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, stomach disorder, high cholesterol, and an eye disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and right leg injury are inextricably intertwined with his bilateral eye total blindness secondary to diabetes claim. The case is being remanded for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the appellant. The claim for traumatic brain injury is dismissed due to withdrawal by the representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's achievement of a vocational goal as a social worker is not reasonably feasible due to his felony conviction, and therefore denied his claim for additional vocational rehabilitation and education benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus remains rated at 40 percent, and his diabetic retinopathy with early cataract changes is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, nor does she meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or separate compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was rated at 40 percent from September 28, 2012, due to the need for regulation of activities as part of medical management. However, he did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or twice monthly visits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as vocational rehabilitation records. He will also be scheduled for examinations related to his diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus granted.,COPD is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure and is therefore granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension (to include as due to diabetes mellitus Type II), or right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. Further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hypertension and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disorder claim remains pending as it involves secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service treatment records and private medical records, as well as VA examination opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes and its complications, PTSD, and hearing loss. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.