Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 11, 2008. His service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected chloracne, presumed due to exposure to burn pits during active duty in Korea, is rated at 100 percent effective July 14, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and glaucoma were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions are unrelated to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran meets the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, and after resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, he is found unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a low back disability. The disorders were not noted on entrance or separation examinations, did not manifest within one year of service separation, and are not related to military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is not service connected as it was not shown to have had onset during active service and there is no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an effective date prior to June 9, 2009, for the service-connected disabilities listed on the title page. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the September 20, 2011 Statement of the Case and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and type II diabetes mellitus, as well as an increased rating for acne and a higher initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to May 31, 2016, are all granted. The claim for TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not otherwise related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral ankle disability that can be linked to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, based on the Veteran's credible assertion of serving near the perimeter of the base and presumptive service connection due to his duty placement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support regulation of activities due to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or peripheral neuropathy. The Board also found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure contributing to the development of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands and diabetes mellitus are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be the cause of his diabetic retinopathy, and he is therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with complications of bilateral cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (residuals of CVA), does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's presence in Vietnam. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been withdrawn.