Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 80 percent combined, but the Board finds that they do not render him unemployable due to his education and work experience. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine was denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and military service. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.,The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were all denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for diabetes and increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of an IHD during his period of active duty.,His diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to its current management and lack of complications requiring hospitalization or special dietary needs.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for below-the-knee amputation of the right leg, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, back disability, bilateral knee disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and thyroid disability. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back pain, DMII, blurred vision secondary to DMII, hypertension secondary to DMII, erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, nocturia secondary to DMII, and migraines. The right ankle disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux), erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the Veteran's active service.

The claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 2003, for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, dental condition, and vision condition due to exposure to various chemicals in service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral eye nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The initial evaluation for type II diabetes mellitus with associated complications remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.