Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required by the criteria for a 20 percent rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as the Veteran was able to engage in physical activities without restriction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and prostate cancer residuals are presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure, leading to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's military duties placed him on or near the perimeter of a Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand where he was exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and active service, or any other basis for granting service connection.

The Board found the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. For diabetes mellitus type II, the preponderance of evidence is against finding any link between in-service fainting spells and the current diagnosis.

The Veteran's CAD was reduced from a 60% to a 30% disability rating, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 60% rating.,The initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted at 40%, effective November 10, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection for muscle damage of the right head and neck (muscle group XXII) has been granted.,Service connection for scar, right periauricular region was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's skin disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, and his military service. The conditions are determined to be related to periods of inactive duty.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a left lower extremity disability have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during active duty service at Lowry Air Force Base (Lowry AFB) in Colorado.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to surgical repair of rotator cuff of the bilateral shoulders and diabetes type II, thus these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cause of death was not found to be service-connected as his diabetes mellitus did not manifest in active service, within one year after service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The immediate causes of death were thrombosis of deep leg veins and fracture of ankle that were not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment. The issues of reopening a claim for cataracts, obtaining VA treatment records, and scheduling an examination are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. His diabetes mellitus and heart disorder are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied prior to July 23, 2014. Effective July 23, 2014, the Veteran is rated at 20%.,The issue of a higher initial rating for ischemic heart disease remains pending and not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not show that he has claudication on walking less than 25 yards or an ankle/brachial index of 0.9 or less.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7913. The evidence does not show episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider.,The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy has been rated based on visual impairment and there is no evidence showing that he experiences incapacitating episodes. His best corrected vision has consistently been better than 20/40 bilaterally, and his visual fields have remained full.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes is related to service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities has been granted, with a 40 percent evaluation for his right upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for any period on appeal.