Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, are not so severe as to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment given his educational and occupational history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he alleges was incurred during his active duty in the Navy due to exposure to Agent Orange, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of diabetes and the evidence does not show a recent diagnosis prior to filing the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate VA medical opinion regarding his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot and a TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service onset. The psychiatric claim is remanded as it involves a different issue.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he claims is related to his military service and herbicide exposure. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and service connection for diabetes mellitus, as well as TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand during his active duty is presumed due to his duties near the air base perimeter.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, remains at 20 percent. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 7, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's inability to attend his scheduled Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities, thus a higher rating is denied.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to diabetes and the Veteran has loss of erectile power but no physical deformity. Therefore, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.,While the Veteran meets the combined percentage requirement for TDIU, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's additional disability in his right eye was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.S. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from April and June 2009 VA right eye surgeries.

The Veteran's claimed conditions have not been linked to service, and the Board finds that these claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for his right eye disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not have its onset during active service, was not directly caused by active service, and was neither caused nor aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or cerebral artery infarct (stroke) with residuals of left upper extremity hemiplegia and left hemiparesis associated with hypertension.

The Veteran's prostate disorder was not related to service, and there is no evidence of osteoarthritis or peripheral neuropathy. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is as likely as not due to Agent Orange exposure while stationed at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in U-Tapao, Thailand. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and that the current disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The claim for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.