Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, by themselves or in concert, have not been sufficient at any time during the period of the claim to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board finds that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, right leg amputation, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted for both conditions, with ratings of 60 percent for the period from February 23, 2008 to March 9, 2009, and 40 percent for the period beginning on March 9, 2009.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and migraine headaches were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.,VA medical opinions found no relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are presumed due to his herbicide exposure in service. The Board has found the Veteran to have been exposed to an herbicide agent during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and hypertension, all related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran set foot on land in the Republic of Vietnam during his service. Therefore, he is entitled to presumptive service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his hypertension and TDIU claim. New examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, verifying herbicide exposure, and considering new information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy. The case has been remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Kawishiwi.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus required insulin and a restricted diet prior to July 2, 2012. However, the evidence does not support the requirement of regulation of activities due to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have direct service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) and denied his claim. The Board determined there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, thus precluding presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2010. The current ratings do not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis A, and erectile dysfunction. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. His skin disorder, glaucoma, lung disorder (COPD and interstitial lung disease), and sinusitis are not among the listed diseases eligible for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for myocardial infarction is denied as the period constituting the month of the myocardial infarction and the three months following entirely predate the effective date of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment.,Since July 25, 2011, the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both legs is now rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a DRO hearing and further development. The issues include increased ratings for various conditions, as well as seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus.