Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU, but his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such before March 15, 2009. The case is being referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for an eye examination to assess diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of diabetes mellitus, type II and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, rash of the face and scalp, erectile dysfunction, renal insufficiency, and sinus disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his military service. Service connection for the other claimed conditions is also denied.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and its complications, specifically diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran will be provided with a detailed review of his medical history and current complaints.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated as 20 percent disabling prior to July 22, 2015 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either period.,For peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, the Veteran's claims are pending as they have not yet been addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, as well as whether these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and atrial flutter/flutter have been granted service connection. The Board has found no evidence of a direct link between the ankle disabilities and service, but acknowledges herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and retinopathy with bilateral cataracts do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II has required treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restrictive diet; however, it has not required treatment with insulin. The criteria for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's current eye disorders, including blepharitis and nuclear sclerotic cataracts in both eyes, were not incurred during service. The Board finds that the weight of evidence does not support a finding that any current eye disorder is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right shoulder disability, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's DM was not shown during active duty or within the presumptive period, and it is not otherwise attributable to service-connected disabilities. His right shoulder disability is attributable to service, but his sleep disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's unemployability is due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, is granted. The presumption of service connection applies based on the Veteran's credible report of his duties and exposure near the air base perimeter at Udorn air base in Thailand during the Vietnam era.

The Board denied service connection for DM and hypertension, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or chronic conditions. The bilateral eye disability was also not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of depressive disorder related to his active service. However, there is no current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease at any point during the appeal period.

The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's service in Vietnam, and thus he cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. The VA attempted to verify his exposure in Panama but found no evidence of such exposure.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from April 15, 2007, to March 30, 2010.