Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require insulin and regulation of activities, thus a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for TDIU as of May 28, 2010. The appeals for service connection for residuals of scorpion sting poisoning; higher initial ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss; and an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and grants the claim for service connection.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Thailand.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by the medical evidence showing that they were incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a TDIU for the period from November 22, 2011. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes and neuropathy are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to diabetes mellitus, which is associated with herbicide exposure. The Board finds that a remand is needed to verify the Veteran's proximity to the base perimeter at U-Tapao Airfield in Thailand where he was stationed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are related to his exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple myeloma due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis as the Veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board denied all issues regarding increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, left foot metatarsalgia, and Charcot joint of the right foot. The Veteran's diabetes is rated 20 percent disabling, left foot metatarsalgia is rated 10 percent disabling, and Charcot joint of the right foot is rated 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 12, 2006 for his TDIU and DEA benefits due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran served in Vietnam during his military service and has diabetes, which is presumed to be related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a bilateral foot disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure was not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and the need for further research regarding potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, colon disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the contention that his diabetes began in or was caused by service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for type II diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy due to his previously service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2017.