Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 with hypertension, atherosclerotic vascular disease of the carotid arteries and erectile dysfunction is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds no evidence to support an increased rating for this condition or any other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, DM, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed but not applicable to these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with background retinopathy and mild cataracts was rated at 40 percent effective June 16, 2008.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disease, sleep apnea, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and nerve damage are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral eye diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, open angle glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome was granted effective April 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service Agent Orange exposure and an examination to determine whether hypertension is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and requests that deck logs from the U.S.S. Mount Hood be obtained for the period March 29, 1974, to June 24, 1974.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and a statement of the case on the reduction in evaluation for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, and impaired vision (claimed as erectile dysfunction) have been granted. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that hypertension is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks TDIU and DEA prior to May 6, 2003. The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU but may warrant extraschedular consideration due to unemployability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied all claims.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bipolar disorder were not shown to be related to his military service.