Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service, and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. The claim is denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable prior to July 7, 2010. His education and experience allow for both physical and sedentary work.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 30, 2015.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, which are rated as a combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, Type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy are not service-connected as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to service and has been granted. The remaining claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and automobile claim are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence supports the Veteran's assertions that his vertigo is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and Type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The claims for basal cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, hypertension, and parathyroid condition are pending.,Further VA examinations will be required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, CAD, and a thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they were first diagnosed after discharge from service and there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus during service, nor was he exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard a ship.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during active duty is presumed due to his statements and military records showing he stopped in Vietnam on his way to and from Thailand.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was not granted because there is no evidence that the Veteran's current diagnoses had their onset during active service or within a presumptive period following discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for vertigo and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection claim or that the diabetes required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes has not required regulation of activities, episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions, or complications. Therefore, his disability rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in April 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and conducting research on potential herbicide exposure. The VA will also obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to his diabetes or to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand disability and diabetes mellitus, finding new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The right hand disability is considered direct service connection due to its onset in or related to military service. Diabetes mellitus was found based on current diagnosis and reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to the evidence showing that he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful work. The RO granted service connection for additional disabilities during the pendency of this appeal, including prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, PTSD, mood disorder, diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran has not received a VA examination to determine the functional impact that these additional service-connected disabilities have on his employment.