Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss have been restored to their previous ratings effective August 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records from his listed providers.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 10% for this condition. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's partial loss of function of the lower extremities is considered in his combined disability rating. Separate service connections for tinnitus, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right foot traumatic degenerative joint disease are all denied. Service connection for a low back disorder, right sciatic radicular pain, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection was also denied for hypertension as the evidence did not establish its onset during active service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, as it requires further development and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, an eye disability, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of contemporaneous medical evidence. The Veteran was provided with additional opportunities to attend examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and entitlement to SMC for housebound benefits due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as they have not been verified. The Veteran is required to provide further evidence of his alleged exposure and a VA examination or opinion will be obtained if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder).

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 as his condition requires only insulin, restricted diet, and exercise.

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2012. The left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent from August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, with two disabilities rated at least 40 percent. His service-connected disabilities prevent him from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus as there is no current disability of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected ankle disability.,The Veteran's back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, but the claim remains denied. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The appellant provided new information about the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure because there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure at an applicable Air Force base. The case will be sent back for further development, including verifying the Veteran's reported visits to Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Air Base.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and tinea pedis/onychomycosis of both feet due to incomplete development.