Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional procedural and evidentiary development, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and inconsistencies in examination findings.

The Board has found that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service, which would allow for a determination on his claim of diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his lower extremities, including whether they have resulted in loss or use of one or both feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange and thus no basis for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus type II is found to be aggravated by the service-connected hypertension with hypertensive kidney disease, warranting secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no credible evidence of service in Vietnam and thus no basis for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iii).

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that while asbestos exposure was conceded, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the lung cancer and his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 19, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating as his condition has required regulation of activities and episodes of hypoglycemic reactions requiring twice monthly visits to a diabetic care provider.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected depression, right upper extremity neuropathy associated with type II diabetes mellitus, and left upper extremity neuropathy associated with type II diabetes mellitus have been denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for PTSD and eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim will be returned to the Board after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if his prostatitis is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issues are about the increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with onychomycosis of all the toenails and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes, finding that the May 11, 2010 grant of service connection is the earliest allowable effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was caused by herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. As a result, the Board grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is service-connected due to herbicide exposure. His erectile dysfunction is also service-connected as it is a result of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bipolar disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating. The Veteran's left forearm scar, hemorrhoids, and pinguecula were not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of disabling effects.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the severity of the Veteran's conditions is at most mild.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including contacting the U.S. Armed Services Center for Unit Records Research (CURR) and obtaining records from the Topeka VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam or its inland waterways on the USS Boston (CAG-1). The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding medical records from Dr. M.S. and VA treatment records.