Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with angina, gastroporesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not result in a combined rating of at least 70% and do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition. However, it granted an increased rating of 20% for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and cataracts prior to October 16, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are presumed. Additionally, the evidence supports a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (also claimed as lymphoma), but denied reopening of these claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected diabetes or PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and heart palpitations/arrhythmia were not shown to have had their onset during service or be otherwise related to military service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 claim is pending. The RO denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, right and left knee degenerative joint disease with chronic patellar tendonitis, and instability of the knees.,Service connection was granted for right and left knee degenerative joint disease with chronic patellar tendonitis, each rated at 10 percent effective April 13, 2009. The RO also granted separate 10 percent disability ratings for instability of each knee, effective May 4, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and neuropathy, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including DDD of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 4, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for further consideration by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient information provided regarding the bases of his claims and the specific residuals related to his varicolectomy and tracheotomy. The AOJ is also requested to confirm the Veteran's in-service TDY in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes were not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board found no direct evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and denied the claim as there was no indication that the Veteran's condition was related to his active duty or any incident therein.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus has required insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.