Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated at 20 percent since the initial rating period. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted prior to May 3, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with associated erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 16, 2009.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to presumed herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for skin cancer was denied as the evidence did not establish a direct link between the condition and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type I, with associated ischemic optic neuropathy with retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence showing current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, or depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, effective dates, and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the substantive appeal was not timely filed in several cases.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU rating prior to January 11, 2012 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. He also seeks a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea will be remanded as well.,The Veteran is requesting an increased rating for his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran set foot in Vietnam, which is considered a visitation to the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, he is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides and granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as entitlement to reopen his claim for metastatic salivary gland carcinoma and/or metastatic biliary gland tumor.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus type II, both presumed due to exposure during military service in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective June 2, 2010. The Veteran's DM remains rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2010 and 20 percent beginning June 2, 2010. TDIU was denied as the evidence does not establish that the Veteran became unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 2, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorder, neurological disorder, kidney disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and eye or vision disorder have been granted due to herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's sinus condition was not caused or aggravated by active military service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for low back pain with sciatica, but it is not etiologically related to service.,CTS of the left upper extremity was not caused or aggravated by active military service or a service-connected disability.,Evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for diabetes mellitus; however, the Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for hypertension. The evidence does not show that this condition was caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.,Fibromyalgia was not caused or aggravated by active military service.,The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for ureaplasma urealyticum (to include infertility, low sperm count, and low testosterone) has not been supported by new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.