Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and residual scars due to IHD. The appeal for service connection for an eye disability is REMANDED as the Veteran needs a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 24, 2008 did not meet or approximate the percentage requirements for entitlement to a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, the claim must be remanded so that it can be referred to VA's Director, Compensation Service, for initial consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 11, 2012.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2009. The AMC granted a TDIU rating prior to March 17, 2016.,The Veteran is currently unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show that his diabetes requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, all claimed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the evidence does not support a finding of presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. Diabetes mellitus and the foot disabilities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service and thus denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of a hearing officer who participated in his previous hearing. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes mellitus) prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient credible evidence to support a finding of herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to ambiguities in medical evidence and clarification of the Veteran's restrictions on activities related to his diabetes.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with secondary tinea pedis and erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent since December 8, 2009. The rating reflects the need for insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II.