Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent, and there is no basis for an increased rating. The Veteran has gout in his left ankle and foot, which warrants a compensable rating, but not separate ratings for the wrist and hand or great toe. The Veteran also has arthritis of the left great toe, which warrants a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed and his current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is related to his military service. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and myasthenia gravis are remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's cataracts, associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that no new and material evidence was received since the April 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need to verify herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right leg neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied by the Board. The Veteran presented with mild incomplete paralysis and no evidence of marked muscular atrophy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues are about service connection for heart disease and reopening his claim of diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. However, service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury leading to current disability, nor any exposure to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during service. As such, secondary service connection claims are also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since May 13, 2008. Since August 16, 2012, the rating has increased to 70 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of diabetes mellitus, type II; heart condition; hypertension; and cancer of the kidneys were not incurred in or related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus, type II, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The issues related to PTSD and schizophrenia were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, chloracne, and coral burns with infection to the elbows. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemical agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for arthritis due to herbicide exposure, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50% prior to August 1, 2009, and denied in excess of 70% from March 7, 2012.,TDIU was denied prior to August 1, 2009. TDIU was also denied after March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 13, 2005. For the period prior to November 20, 2015, he was granted a separate rating of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and, therefore, is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not addressed as it was not presented in a new theory of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.