Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension, thyroid cancer, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has also been granted. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a 100% rating effective June 22, 2014. The vaginitis and diabetes mellitus prior to that date were not rated higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure is granted due to the presumption of exposure in the Vietnam era.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claims for kidney disease and hypertension were not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, vision loss, stroke residuals, and PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 24, 2014. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Service connection for this condition is therefore denied.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was first diagnosed after service beyond the one-year presumptive period, and there is no evidence it is related to service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus type II were denied, while the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and total disability based on individual unemployability due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disability and diabetes mellitus, as well as the claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with these issues.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including for a right knee condition and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no legal merit to the claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions were denied, while the claim for TDIU was granted. The effective date of a 30% rating for bronchitis is April 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding his service-connected disabilities, particularly diabetes and erectile dysfunction.