Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not require regulation of activities, and thus denied a higher rating. The coronary artery disease was also evaluated as 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied as not related to service-connected diabetes. His peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 10%.,The Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that TDIU is granted from April 17, 2012 to May 13, 2013, and from September 1, 2013.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise etiologically related to any disease, injury, or event that occurred during service. The Board also found no secondary service connection for his diabetes on account of his service-connected hypertension or kidney disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered him unable to use his lower extremities without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The RO is directed to review the evidence and determine if he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or its inland waterways, and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for his claimed conditions. The evidence does not establish a link between any current disabilities and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy in the feet, legs, and back as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and respiratory disorder. The Veteran's claim for loss of sense of smell was not adjudicated as it did not involve service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, and both peripheral neuropathy conditions were also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for diabetes mellitus, type II effective January 8, 2013. The Veteran's insulin use and restricted diet were noted as part of his treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and has been granted service connection for prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure during his active duty in Thailand. The Board has ordered further verification of the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure and will consider whether he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction did not have onset during service or within one year of separation, and were not otherwise caused by his active service. The hearing loss was not shown to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to DDT and concluded that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during service or within one year after separation. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema was rated at 10 percent prior to January 19, 2017 and at 30 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 12, 2008. The Veteran does not have moderate or worse incomplete paralysis of the right or left peroneal nerves, nor does she have peripheral neuropathy of the LUE that warrants a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral peroneal nerve impairment are not currently service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand is conceded, allowing for presumptive service connection.