Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, claiming it is related to his exposure to jet fuel and chemicals during active duty. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides as part of his duties.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II and was likely exposed to Agent Orange during military service. As such, the preponderance of the evidence is in favor of granting service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with the diabetes rated at 20% and the coronary artery disease rated at 60%. The Board has determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective May 22, 2014. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was granted but not yet assigned a specific percentage.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the effective date for service connection for an ulcer, left foot as secondary to diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and service connection for glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes and ischemic heart disease was denied. The Veteran's diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet, but did not require regulation of activities as defined by VA. His ischemic heart disease prior to October 9, 2012 warranted a 10% rating based on workload greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 18, 2012 for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied PTSD claim and service connection for a back condition have not been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and Hodgkin's disease as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's active military service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 40 percent, as it is managed by insulin and restricted diet. The peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities also do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and variability of diagnoses. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for a VA examination to address his skin disability, lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headache disorder.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and information regarding potential exposures to toxins and chemicals in service. VA examinations are also needed to assess the nature and severity of his left thumb injury residuals, as well as any left hand disability and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue and will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including verification of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spinal stenosis with herniated lumbar disc and myelopathy, and eye disability (mature senile cataract). The Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic myelogenous leukemia were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or a link to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been managed by the use of insulin and restricted diet; regulation of activities was not required to control diabetes. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met or more nearly approximated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the impact of his diabetes mellitus on his employment and daily activities, as well as consider all service-connected disabilities in conjunction with each other.