Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and hypertension as there is no evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening a claim of service connection for a left knee disability, an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, and an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment capacity.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as new and material evidence was not received, and the Veteran's diabetes was diagnosed after service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling under the rating criteria. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there are no findings of insulin use or restriction of activities required for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU for accrued benefit purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of diabetes mellitus was denied, as the evidence did not show that a higher rating was warranted due to lack of regulation of activities. The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was also denied because he does not have a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand during his service. The nerve disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA social and industrial survey to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The evidence submitted since the August 2014 decision was found to be either cumulative or redundant of previous evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and other conditions.,The Veteran's IHD is rated at 100% effective from the date of the June 2016 VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational impairment but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease, which are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam and/or Thailand. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of service connection for high cholesterol/hyperlipemia due to the Veteran's request.,Service connection is not granted for CVA, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The stroke occurred approximately 25 years after separation.,Service connection is not granted for HTN, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The earliest diagnosis was around 2003, which is more than 22 years post-service.,Service connection is not granted for diabetes, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The earliest diagnosis was around 2003, which is more than 22 years post-service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer have been granted as they are presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his service in Vietnam.