Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease can be adjudicated. The Veteran served in Vietnam but not on inland waters, so direct exposure to herbicides must be established by evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service, granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lump in the head and diabetes mellitus type II has been dismissed as withdrawn.,Service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability have both been granted, with new evidence received since the March 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus are also being addressed.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for secondary service connection for liver disorder other than hepatitis C, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during active service and has been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that he was actually exposed to herbicides, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, DM, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, an eye disorder, and a kidney condition. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and thyroid disability did not become manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and are not shown to be related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a combined 20 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy under Diagnostic Codes 6006 and 6078, with vision in one eye of 20/50 and the other eye of 20/50 (a 10 percent rating) and continuous active pathology (a 10 percent rating).

The Veteran died due to congestive heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy, with other conditions contributing to his death. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from the Bonham/Dallas VAMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, kidney disorder, and hypertension are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy with history of cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lung disorder (bronchitis and asthma), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence, as the previous denial was based on a lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease, Vietnam-era service, herbicide exposure, or manifestation within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was assigned for diabetes mellitus, which is the highest available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities, as well as a separate rating of 10 percent for diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, low back condition (claimed as sore back), and athlete's foot to the AOJ for further review of additional evidence.