Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.

The Board remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Panama. The claim will be reviewed again with additional inquiries into potential exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's colon cancer and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to his service-connected hepatitis C.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no direct link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not attributable to his active duty service and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology, nor is there any indication of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for RLS, hypertension, diabetes, stroke residuals, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or chronic symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to his military service. As such, the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, anemia, and hypertension are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service or to a pre-existing condition. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 15, 2011 was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his failure to complete the VA Form 21-8940 made it impossible for the Board to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the Hartford RO. Service connection claims for right shoulder injury and diabetes mellitus are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disorder (coronary artery disease); prostate cancer; and osteomyelitis of the bone (amputation of 4th and 5th toes), all presumed related to toxic herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient verification of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and a need for further development, including an examination regarding hypertension if exposure is verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for DM II or ED due to lack of evidence showing in-service exposure, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus between his current conditions and service. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with polysubstance abuse. For the initial rating period, the Veteran is assigned a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus requiring insulin and restricted diet.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 2, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for VA examinations. The claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for adjudication in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).