Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for verification of herbicide exposure, an opinion on the etiology of his current conditions, and additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral vascular disease left and right lower extremities, as well as initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent prior to May 14, 2009 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for diabetic peripheral neuropathy left and right lower extremities, was dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal. The effective dates for service connection were not assigned as there was no claim filed before June 9, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference Board hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 17, 2008 for service connection of ischemic heart disease was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for this condition before January 17, 2008.

The Veteran's neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic coma are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation. Service connection is therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's daughter, L.M.H., is not entitled to dependency benefits as a 'helpless child' due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age eighteen. The evidence does not show she was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the date of her 18th birthday.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and testicular cancer, both claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure, were denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to active service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The evidence does not show that the disability requires regulation of activities to control symptoms.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I with hypertension and complete erectile dysfunction has resulted in hypoglycemic reactions requiring emergency medical services transport to hospital emergency rooms at least once a year as of March 20, 2014. This meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that the Veteran's duties placed him on or near the perimeter of Ubon Air Base in Thailand where he was exposed to Agent Orange. The Board also found that his claim is at least in equipoise and thus grants service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and tinnitus as presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset during or as a result of service, including herbicide/Agent Orange exposure, and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability, to include diabetes.

The Veteran's initial rating for hepatitis C was granted and rated as cirrhosis of the liver, with a 50% rating effective January 2013. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has been rated at 20%, but is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent for the initial rating period from August 5, 2001 to January 7, 2003. The disability required an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was granted.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus were dismissed due to lack of appeal.