Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's application for TDIU was received on May 4, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 30, 2013 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new evidence submitted since the final denial. However, it is not clear if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Eglin Air Force Base and thus cannot determine whether he is entitled to presumptive service connection based on that exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower ulnar neuropathy, lung disability, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further development including medical examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of his claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination. The examiner will clarify diagnoses associated with the Veteran's eyes and determine whether separate compensable ratings are warranted for bilateral dry macular degeneration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions, including diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, renal disability, hypertension, and presbycusis, are not service connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbar disorder, skin disease, diabetes mellitus, and disorder manifested by memory loss are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted effective May 10, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to obtain and retain employment, even sedentary employment. TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. Additionally, the issues of whether neuropathy and radiculopathy should be considered for service-connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and open angle glaucoma has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinion more persuasive regarding the type and timing of his diabetes.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand. Therefore, he is not entitled to presumptive service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of the Veterans Law Judge who conducted his October 2013 Board hearing. He has been requested a new Board hearing held at his local VA RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded as they require additional development.