Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and his flight records document landings in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board agrees that he should be awarded service connection on account of presumed exposure to herbicides experienced in that nation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been managed with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin injections, but does not require restrictions on activities or hospitalizations. The condition is stable and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found the evidence does not support service connection for cause of death due to diabetes mellitus or cardiac arrhythmia, as both conditions were well managed prior to the Veteran's passing.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, or diabetic neuropathy aggravated his sleep apnea. The appeal is currently in a pending state and will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a more complete expert opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities and educational/vocational history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, which causes him to need assistance with daily personal needs such as preparing food, eating, bathing, hygiene, and medication management.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus type II have been rated at the minimum disability ratings, with no evidence of more severe symptomatology warranting higher evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and no actual exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, but did not require regulation of activities. Therefore, the disability rating remained at 20 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea are not secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, or right wrist condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty service and concluding that he is not entitled to service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy has not resulted in visual acuity that meets the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied, while her service connection claim for hypertension is granted.

The Board has ordered a new examination to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his diabetes and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral leg stress fractures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral interstitial fibrosis and PTSD, did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 6, 2012.