Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and is not related to service-connected primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new opinion linking the Veteran's diabetes mellitus to Agent Orange exposure. The issue of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide agent exposure is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gout, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, and heart disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and there is insufficient medical nexus evidence to link them to service.,There are no findings of OSA in the Veteran's service records, and the earliest diagnosis was several years after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Veteran's spouse requires assistance with daily activities and is unable to dress or undress herself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The case has been remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his cardiac disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the AOJ found that Attorney R.B.G. was entitled to payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits at a rate of 20 percent, totaling $18,523.

The Board found that the Veteran's ED and diabetes mellitus type II were not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on part of VA. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the medications prescribed for his hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic disability manifested by vision loss beyond congenital or developmental refractive error. The preponderance of evidence is against finding service connection for loss of vision.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy are all service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and reopened the claims for right ear hearing loss and infections, but found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it is currently well controlled without insulin, restricted diet, or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes was not caused by VA treatment, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his diabetes. The Board also found that his erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and lower extremities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease/CAD, status post CABG was rated at 60 percent prior to January 13, 2015, and increased to 100 percent effective that date. The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's dysthymia with PTSD was rated at 30 percent.,The Board found no basis for a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, as it is currently rated. The evidence shows that the diabetes requires insulin and restricted diet but no regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities was denied. Service connection for hypertension, radiculopathy, heart disorder, and liver disorder were also denied.