Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claims are being reviewed again as part of a de novo process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further medical opinion regarding his exposure to hazardous waste chemicals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and viremia due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The Veteran's service records show he was stationed aboard ships within the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).,The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis. The type 2 diabetes mellitus claim is being remanded due to potential exposure to Agent Orange, while the cirrhosis claim is being remanded as it may be secondary to the established service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition does not require regulation of his activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions due to in-service exposure at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's service records show she was stationed there from November 1969 to April 1970. Further development is needed to assess her exposure to environmental contaminants and herbicide agents.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent effective October 30, 2018.,A separate compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 31, 2011. His TDIU is granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Coontz in Da Nang Harbor.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered additional medical examination to determine if he should be rated higher due to complications such as retinopathy in his right eye and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to toxic chemicals at March Air Force Base. The claims are pending until all requested records, including VA and private medical records, as well as information regarding contaminants at the base, are obtained.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities during the period on appeal, and therefore, he is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, joint disorder, cataracts, coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, esophageal varices, and skin disorder is remanded due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.,Specifically, the Board requests further investigation into the Veteran's claimed exposure to Agent Orange at Clark Air Base in the Philippines from May to December 1965.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at a 40 percent since the evidence shows that it requires insulin and a restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with onychomycosis of the toes was initially rated at 20 percent prior to August 5, 2016. From August 5, 2016, a 40 percent rating has been granted.