Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic liver disease, have rendered him unable to work. Effective October 14, 2009, he is granted a TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right ankle arthritis with ligament reconstruction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a right ankle scar, rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, attend to his personal hygiene, manage his finances or medications, walk, relieve himself without assistance, and protect from hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no longer has jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his type II diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating greater than 20 percent, the reduction in his coronary artery disease rating from 60 to 30 percent was improper, and he meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral vascular disease is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II is also denied as the evidence does not show that the condition requires regulation of activities. The claim for compensation for erectile dysfunction, as a complication of diabetes mellitus, remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent since April 27, 2016. The rating is based on the requirement for regulation of activities due to diabetes, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination by a podiatrist to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetic foot ulcers. The issues include service connection for diabetic ulcers, increased rating for pes planus, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in January 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 5, 2012, for the grant of service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there were no informal claims or intent to file a claim prior to this date.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2012, was also denied. The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of herbicide exposure, bilateral hearing loss due to in-service acoustic trauma, and tinnitus due to in-service acoustic trauma.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the presumption that certain diseases are associated with herbicide exposure, chronic symptoms during service, or in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, as they are not related to his military service. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have also been denied due to lack of a service onset.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating since the date of claim, and his diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20% prior to October 18, 2011, and 40% thereafter. The liver disorder was not found.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hypertension is at least as likely as not causally related to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct causation.,Both conditions were not shown during active service and do not have a continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection under the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain verification of his claimed exposure to herbicides during service in Puerto Rico, and to attempt to obtain inpatient treatment records from the USAF Hospital at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico for the years 1962 and 1963. Additionally, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts and a skin disability are pending. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus.,VA has granted the Veteran an effective date of October 5, 2010 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease due to his service-connected disabilities in combination. Effective March 4, 2002, VA also granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings remains pending and will be addressed by the Board.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his award of service connection for coronary artery disease. The Board finds that no earlier effective date than March 4, 2002 is assignable due to lack of a prior formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service.,VA has granted the Veteran's TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected conditions.