Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claims for service connection for cause of death, entitlement to death pension benefits, and accrued benefits can be decided. The Veteran died from sepsis and pancreatitis, which are not directly related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board restored service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and discontinued compensation for erectile dysfunction. Service connection for mesothelioma is remanded due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and tinnitus, is rated at 70 percent. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted, but his scars of the left hip, abdomen, and right index finger remain noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, makes him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board vacated its previous decisions on several issues, including service connection for allergies and diabetes mellitus, increased ratings for tinnitus and alopecia areata, and earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for alopecia areata and tinnitus. The decision also remanded claims for hearing loss and COPD.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's eye disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted based on a presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date is set at April 23, 1990, the date his informal claim was received.

The Veteran's left knee brace is not service-connected, and he does not use it to treat any of his other service-connected disabilities. The Board finds no eligibility for a clothing allowance due to the left knee brace.,The Veteran uses a manual wheelchair primarily due to severe effects from multiple service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and neuropathies. The VAMC's decision was incorrect in concluding that the use of the wheelchair is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, major depression, low back disability, cervical spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment from March 24, 2010 to November 19, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's high cholesterol, right elbow disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.,For the low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), the Board has found that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran’s ED is currently rated at 0 percent and the Board has found no evidence of external or internal deformity warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board has found that his condition may have worsened since the last examination. He is also rated at 40 percent for each leg due to arteriosclerosis obliterans and claudication.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to the Veteran's service-connected glomerulonephritis. The claims for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's service was not in the Republic of Vietnam or its inland waterways.

The claim for bilateral hearing loss is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his time stationed at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand. The claim for ischemic heart disease remains pending as the evidence does not clearly indicate a diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with post-operative residuals of coronary artery bypass surgery, posttraumatic stress disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to type II diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, and eczema. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.