Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from July 20, 2016. He also qualifies for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to a need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's right upper extremity sensory neuropathy has been rated as 20 percent disabling since October 29, 2008. Since October 15, 2014, the rating for this condition has been increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted increased ratings. The hypertension has also been found to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, PTSD, and a back condition. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for DM.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and abdominal aortic aneurysm residuals is rated at 20 percent, which reflects the current symptoms of requiring oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet. The criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity prior to October 30, 2015 that they preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, and Hepatitis C) have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 2, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II does not require regulation of activities, and thus cannot meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. The issue of whether urinary urgency should be rated separately from diabetes mellitus is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential Vietnam-era exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. However, as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other form of Agent Orange, and neither condition manifested within one year of separation from service, service connection cannot be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current noncompensable or zero percent ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including verification of his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes was found to require insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities as of July 18, 2012. However, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation on or after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran does not have functional impairment to the extent necessary to warrant a separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the groin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 70 percent rating. The RO denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his periods of service and further medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities now meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from March 17, 2005 to November 8, 2010.,An extraschedular rating for DM II prior to November 9, 2010 is denied.