Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a low back disorder, Type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's DM and heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Don Muang, Thailand. Based on this exposure, his hypertension, stroke, ED, numbness in both hands, and numbness in both feet are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records from SSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities, including bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy, bilateral neovascular glaucoma, bilateral pseudophakia, left eye abnormal pupil, and left eye superficial punctate keratitis, are not related to his active service. The in-service left eye injuries did not cause or aggravate any of the currently diagnosed eye disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for a determination on whether an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b) should be granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including obtaining VA treatment records, determining service connection based on exposure in inland waters, and providing medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, asthma, panniculitis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disability have been denied as the evidence does not show that he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam. The Board also noted that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are not shown to have onset during service or be related to herbicide exposure. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since May 9, 2008. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as it is currently managed with insulin and restricted diet only, without requiring regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claims, including a possible finding of presumed exposure to herbicides and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(1) and/or � 1114(r)(2) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from University Hospital and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, as well as arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left eye ischemic optic neuropathy, left great toe amputation, peripheral neuropathy, and an earlier effective date for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development and readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating as he was managed by diet and exercise during the relevant period.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.