Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as he has the physical and mental ability to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted a 100% rating from November 1, 2015, through January 27, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective January 7, 2008. The ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy remain at 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, with gross impairment in thought processes or communication.,Prior to May 30, 2013, the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus required one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it only required a restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent. Therefore, the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires corrective action. The case is being returned for further development, including the provision of an addendum medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease (a form of ischemic heart disease) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer and/or diabetes due to a failure to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's barracks were near the base perimeter during his time at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg amputation due to diabetes mellitus, result in a total schedular rating. As of June 25, 2019, the issue of TDIU is moot because he already receives a 100% schedular rating and SMC based on anatomical loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations or access to his service treatment records, which are necessary to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential radiation exposure during her military service, and will require further development including obtaining a dose estimate from the USH.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and issuing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Veteran's dyssomnia is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His diabetes mellitus, type 2, does not require regulation of activities. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to September 9, 2019 and thereafter are denied. Service connection for the claimed conditions remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for skin condition, neurological disability, muscle pain, and fatigue as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a disability rating of 40 percent beginning February 8, 2018. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, and hypertension associated with diabetes have been denied. Separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes are also denied.

The Board has vacated the effective date of a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from August 22, 2017 to September 28, 2016. The Veteran's claim is now considered as having been filed on that date.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his active duty service in Guam.