Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for CAD was denied, and he was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumptively related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, renal dysfunction, and neurological impairment of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to December 26, 2017 and at 70% since December 27, 2017. The Board denied a rating in excess of these levels for the period from November 18, 2010 to December 26, 2017 and since December 27, 2017. A TDIU was granted effective October 22, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to prednisone, voice amplifier, and service-connected duodenal ulcer with GERD were denied. The claim for a left ankle stabilizer was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for this condition on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including weakness in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during his time at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, vision loss due to herbicide exposure, and diabetes mellitus. The issues of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also remanded as they may be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was also denied special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance because he does not require regular aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus II as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus II.,Service connection is denied for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, ocular hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type II have all been denied as they are not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of left and right lower extremities. The claims for reopening service connection for respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine degenerative changes, but the appeal on CAD and diabetes mellitus type II was remanded due to lack of opinion from VA examiners. The Veteran's acne vulgaris disability remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including renal dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and various neuropathies, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined rating for these conditions is at least 90%, meeting the percentage requirements for TDIU. However, further examination is needed to assess the combined impact of all his service-connected disabilities on his occupational impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and reductions of evaluations. The primary focus is on determining whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to herbicide exposure or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and lack of a nexus between his claimed conditions and service or any other condition.