Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period. The Veteran was presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Orange) while serving in Vietnam, but there is limited or suggestive evidence linking hypertension to such exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and granted it as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, skin condition, and diabetes mellitus were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them. The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 20, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter; and entitlement to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's diabetes was initially granted service connection in March 2010, and a reduction from 10% to 0% effective March 31, 2017 is being reviewed. The Board finds the reduction improper and the rating must be restored.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, sleep apnea, back disorder, diabetes, and hypogonadism all as the result of exposure to radar.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and separate disability ratings of 20 percent for diabetic sensory neuropathy affecting the femoral nerves in each leg, effective from May 14, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet or oral hypoglycemic agents but his physicians have not regulated his activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, headaches, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) preclude the Veteran from caring for some of his daily personal needs such as taking his medications, bathing, and preparing his meals without the regular assistance of another person and he needed assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards and dangers in the daily environment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and affording the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending before the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be causally related to an event, injury, or disease in service.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure that is causally related to, or aggravated by, an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or other service connection basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened. However, his bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a VA compensation disability due to normal hearing in both ears. The claims of service connection for heart disorder, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and prostate disorder are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating was 100 percent, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities. The criteria for the assignment of a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus prior to July 21, 2015 was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the same condition beginning on that date was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to January 15, 2010 were not met.