Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (claimed as a heart condition), and diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's service records show he was stationed in Hawaii during the time Agent Orange testing was conducted there.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The AOJ should readjudicate the claim after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes and esophageal disability were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for Charcot arthropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Peyronie's disease is a symptom of his ED associated with diabetes, and thus warrants a rating of 20 percent under DC 7522. The preponderance of evidence supports this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of his acquired bilateral eye disorder, including whether it is related to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The issue also includes a separate compensable evaluation for an eye disorder associated with his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied as the earliest date of claim was not within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and lung disease. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other environmental toxins.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, acting alone, require the need of assistance for daily activities such as hygiene and medication management. The Board finds that aid and attendance is warranted solely because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities as a result of his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period. The Veteran's hypertension has also not been found to warrant an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and does not require regulation of activities. His erectile dysfunction has been evaluated separately as noncompensable.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating since December 7, 2009. His diabetes mellitus, type II disability remains at the non-compensable level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of TDIU benefits should be November 24, 2008, but no earlier.