Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but his heart disorder other than cardiomyopathy with coronary artery calcification and diabetes mellitus are not. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus remains at a 20% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence, has been reopened and the Board is remanding the case for further development.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 21, 2016 and as of that date was denied. The Board found no evidence supporting a rating higher than the current 10 percent or 20 percent ratings.,Service connection claims for right eye disorder, left eye disorder, alcohol dependence, liver disorder, renal disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities were all denied.

The Board has acknowledged the Veteran's service but needs to verify all periods of service, including a period from March 1962 to March 1965. Additional records need to be obtained and reviewed before any decision can be made.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 60 percent from February 1, 2016. The hypertension disability is found to be service-connected.,Higher initial ratings for the diabetic complications of upper and lower extremities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and subacromial bursitis of the right shoulder. Service connection is also granted for subacromial bursitis of the left shoulder based on herbicide exposure during service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, bilateral foot fungus, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and need for additional research into his exposure to nuclear testing. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for his joint and foot conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90% for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU before March 15, 2009 and denied an earlier effective date.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the need for insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment folder. A new VA opinion is required regarding the etiology of hypertension. The issues of SMC based on housebound status from August 1, 2009 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected hearing loss, and that his nonservice-connected pension benefits were properly terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted with a rating of 60 percent, effective from February 28, 1994. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations (60 percent). The post-operative residuals of left ankle injury and left great toe bunion with hallux valgus are both rated at the highest possible under VA regulations (10 percent each), effective from February 28, 1994. The Veteran's scar associated with left great toe with hallux valgus is granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer, lung disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a hearing, verification of exposure to herbicides or environmental hazards, and examinations.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is found to be etiologically related to his in-service exposure to chemicals and other hazardous materials, specifically during the time he served aboard the USS Bennington. As a result, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.