Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and cervical spine disability are being considered for service connection, with the possibility of a grant based on aggravation due to his service-connected disabilities. The effectiveness of any rating assigned is not specified.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

From March 24, 2009, to January 12, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.,From January 13, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, heart condition, and stroke. The issues are related to service connection and may be affected by exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatty liver disease as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that this condition is secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes, tinnitus, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, hand blisters, and a lung disability to include asbestosis were found to have their onset in service or are related to an in-service event. The upper and lower extremity neuropathies, vision problems including retinopathy, and atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease are caused or aggravated by the now sevice-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and coronary artery disease are at least as likely as not due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the conditions being presumed due to herbicide exposure during his active duty. The claims for diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, and prostate cancer remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and psoriasis, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed eye problems, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction, and skin disease as they are not related to his period of active service or a previously service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, including whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and its complications.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and enlarged heart due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the exact locations of the USS Hassayampa during the times noted above and whether it ever entered any inland waterway of Vietnam. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after this determination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition requires insulin and a restricted diet but no regulation of activities.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as due to such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as it falls under the presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, likely preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU for the entire period on appeal.