Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides due to his service in Vietnam. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroparesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected.,New evidence has reopened the claim for right ear hearing loss, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and skin disorder are all found to be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his military service is presumed and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since April 25, 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as the diabetes was managed with oral hypoglycemic agents and restricted diet only without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities, as he does not have functional impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by amputation with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and aortic stenosis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), residuals of a left arm injury with history of cubital tunnel (left arm injury), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and tinea cruris were all service connected. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating.,For pancreatitis, a 30 percent rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since October 15, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his condition required only restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents without regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has not required regulation of activities to manage the condition, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of a nexus to service and the preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, and that there was no current diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy or diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his Naval Reserve records and verifying his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.