Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the examiner found that his hearing loss was most likely age-related. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and GERD are not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his diabetes were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 60% from October 1, 2012 to October 1, 2013. The rating was granted based on the severity of his condition during this period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and left eye disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus were granted effective May 11, 2007.,A new claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied without reopening the previous denial.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for OSA was increased from 30 percent to 50 percent effective July 19, 2011. His diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence of in-service diabetes mellitus or a skin disorder, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including Vet Center records. The RO/AMC will also request that the Veteran complete VA Form 21-8940 for his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to service, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the disease did not manifest within one year of service. The claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an eye disorder claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness, a sleep disorder claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness, and hearing loss. The appeals are therefore remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on their severity, with the highest possible rating for each condition. The TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. The Board finds that the presumptive provisions for herbicide exposure do not apply due to lack of evidence of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address his claims, including verification of stressor events in service and examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals, diabetes mellitus, or a back disorder during his military service. His dysthymic disorder and left knee disability have been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing on all issues.