Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, diabetes mellitus type 2, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have all been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 16, 2020. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Gulf of Tonkin. The decision also requires a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's skin disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found no causal relationship between the Veteran’s skin disability and his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, but does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU as of August 20, 2009.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's diabetes required only restricted diet and one or more daily injections of insulin with oral hypoglycemic agents during the appeal period. The evidence did not show regulation of activities due to diabetes symptoms.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not manifested by deformity of the penis, and therefore does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires only restricted diet, insulin, and an oral hypoglycemic agent, but did not require any regulation of activities. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The diabetes mellitus claim is reopened, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a skin condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a skin disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating prior to April 2, 2007 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal calculus, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed renal calculus disability, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the lack of evidence confirming herbicide exposure at Andersen AFB in Guam. The AOJ must contact the Veteran and obtain additional information or evidence regarding his claimed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and hysterectomy due to incomplete compliance with prior Board remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tympanic membrane perforation is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. A compensable rating of 20 percent is assigned from February 24, 2020 for DM II.,An initial compensable rating prior to August 1, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected DM II requires a compensable rating prior to February 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities at least as likely as not result in him being in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus prior to November 19, 2014 was denied. The Veteran also had a separate claim for erectile dysfunction associated with his service-connected diabetes that was denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to November 19, 2014 was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and no direct link between DM and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and other conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service exposures.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the April 2012 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, should be remanded due to incomplete information regarding his alleged presence in Vietnam and further development is needed.