Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been managed through a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic medication since October 23, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of back injury, a neck disorder, gastrointestinal disability, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance for the purchase of automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure during service. The claims for increased rating and service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that he was not exposed to herbicide agents during service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive vascular disease, and diabetic neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional information and possibly an examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after this process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability and peripheral neuropathy, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since December 30, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic residuals of a right eye injury in August 2016, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for microscopic hematuria and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the microscopic hematuria claim and concluding that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative osteoarthritis and found that the Veteran's current diabetes is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected gouty arthritis. The issues of service connection for non-gouty arthritis, higher rating for gouty arthritis, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance for the spouse, and TDIU are referred back to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to January 27, 2004 due to the need for insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent. From January 27, 2004, a rating of 20 percent is warranted as she requires insulin and a restricted diet.,The Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of current diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity as secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not related to Agent Orange exposure, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or a cardiovascular disability (claimed as hypertension and chest pains) in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to her military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

Service connection for PTSD and CFS has been granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, type II diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. Service connection for uterine fibroid cysts and a respiratory disorder due to Agent GB exposure have not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for any of the claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for decreased kidney function was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sixth cranial nerve palsy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there were no claims prior to February 27, 2009. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus type II with onychomycosis and ED is pending.