Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected, and his claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is not considered related to his Southwest Asia service. The eye disabilities, including cataracts, dry eye condition, blurry vision, familial drusen, and vision impairment, were not shown during service or within one year of discharge.,The right knee disability was not shown during service or within one year after service. The low back disability was not shown during service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities, alone, do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board found that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions and that non-service-connected conditions were more likely responsible for his unemployment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's herbicide exposure in Vietnam and a need for further review based on recent legal precedent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, neuropathy of the left hand, and PTSD are granted. The remaining issues (neuropathy of the right hand and psychiatric disability other than PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical impairments.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and sinusitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and PTSD are denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asbestosis and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, peripheral vestibular disorder, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, and seizure disorder as they are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents during service or a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic nephropathy is now rated at 80 percent. The rating for diabetes remains unchanged, while the rating for nephropathy has been increased to 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to verify his presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of Type II Diabetes Mellitus was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to decide the claims as the evidence of record does not contain sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for multiple sclerosis and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are granted as presumptive due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as his condition is managed with oral medications and insulin without requiring regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, arterial condition, hypertension, and osteoporosis, as well as secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.