Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with cardiomyopathy and HOCN, as well as diabetes mellitus type II due to Agent Orange exposure are granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been manageable by restricted diet only during the period on appeal, and he does not require insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. The Board finds that a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection and rated at 100% effective December 19, 2013.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied because management of the condition required only insulin and/or an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, which is consistent with the 20 percent rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 7913.,The Veteran's increased rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (from April 23, 2018 forward) was granted as it manifested in moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular nerve groups without severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular nerve groups.,The Veteran's increased rating for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied due to the lack of evidence showing moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,TDIU was granted as the Veteran has been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right eye vision loss and left eye vision impairment, right foot amputation, and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the LUE, RUE, LLE, and RLE. However, these claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the locations of the submarines during the Veteran's Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to Agent Orange is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding his claimed exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are all service-connected. The rating for hypertension is restored to 20 percent, while ratings for CAD and DM remain at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure during service. Further development is required including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and causes of these disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from January 27, 2017 to December 5, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bradycardia, and a lung disorder claimed as pneumonitis, dry crackles, chronic respiratory failure, hypoxia, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, more development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to toxic substances during his service at Fort Ord.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which would allow him to be presumed exposed and entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII, and IHD. The remand requires a new VA examination with an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of sedentary employment despite his diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.