Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and heart disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he was not unemployable prior to January 25, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's leg disability is considered secondary to a service-connected back disability and claimed diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and cataracts are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,His peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent since August 2009. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes and no visual field defect.,For his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted from June 21, 2012 onwards.

The Board has found that the Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service connected, with the latter being secondary to the former. The claims for higher ratings of his ankle and spine disabilities have been remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his active service due to exposure to herbicides, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes, a cerebral vascular accident, and a heart disability. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of peripheral vascular disease and diabetic retinopathy, thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The March 2006 reduction in the rating for diabetes mellitus from 60 to 20 percent was proper as there is no evidence that the condition required active avoidance of strenuous activities, and subsequent medical records show improvement with diet changes and exercise.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and no direct service connection. The Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% disabling, effective from February 26, 2016.,Prior to this rating change, the Veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 24, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims were remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and a right foot condition due to issues with the evidence submitted, including the need to determine if the Veteran's conditions were manifested within one year of his discharge from active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 18, 2016. Effective from that date, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis contributed to his death from myelodysplastic syndrome. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand, which could impact his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a respiratory/lung disorder. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his current claims on appeal, including those for increased rating for diabetes and service connection for various conditions secondary to diabetes.