Diabetes Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The skin disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected hypertension. The appeals for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate condition have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were granted, with the rating for ischemic heart disease being increased to 30 percent effective July 7, 2015. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type 2 are both granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a service connection claim were denied. The Board found no evidence to support higher evaluations or new material evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated based on the criteria for a 10 percent rating due to occasional dizziness and light-headedness, but not meeting the criteria for an increased 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires prescription medication including insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities). The disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, back disability, right leg disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hand disability are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his period of active service in Korea and concedes this exposure. As such, service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been rated at 40 percent since February 10, 2006. The RO found that there was clear and unmistakable error in the July 2014 rating decision and granted an even earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy, left eye has not resulted in vision that meets the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. The Board finds no evidence of impairment warranting any higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes, small fiber diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities associated with diabetes, hypertension associated with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities associated with diabetes, and erectile dysfunction) were rated 80 percent combined and shared a common etiology. They are shown to have rendered him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thyroid disorder and diabetes mellitus, including consideration of exposure to radiation during military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and lung condition, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals that could cause the conditions. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization, and thus did not warrant a referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and diabetes mellitus. The Board has declined jurisdiction over the TDIU issue as it was not properly appealed at the time of the October 2014 decision. The Veteran's appeal is for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to March 20, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the propriety of reducing his PTSD disability rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted service connection effective April 24, 2008. The RO found new and material evidence to reopen his PTSD claim in May 2014, which led to the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural action regarding his claims of service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to assess his functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral hand disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated treatment records and review his claim in light of recent guidance on herbicide exposure.