Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and diabetes mellitus with retinopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Parkinson's disease, tinnitus, and diabetes, are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The RO has determined that the preliminary schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU rating are met, but an addendum opinion is needed from the examiner who conducted the VA examination in June 2013 to assess whether the Veteran's combined disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotence, and loss of vision due to lack of a current diagnosis in some cases or failure to establish a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity since for the claimed conditions, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, are pending. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for high cholesterol is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a neck disability, a right hand disability, and asbestosis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, remains unchanged. The Board has found that there is evidence demonstrating the disability has worsened and requires a remand to provide the Veteran with a thorough and contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was first diagnosed within one year of his separation from active duty service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is rated at 40 percent, effective December 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on the basis of herbicide exposure is denied as new and material evidence has not been received. Service connection for renal disability, vision impairment, and anemia are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the earliest assignable date is September 11, 2009.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at the maximum schedular rating since November 28, 2012. Prior to that date, a higher rating is not warranted as his diabetes did not require medically prescribed regulation of activities.,For nephropathy with edema and hypertension, the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating were met prior to November 28, 2012. Since then, no higher ratings are warranted due to lack of evidence showing persistent edema or albuminuria with BUN levels above 40-80mg% or creatinine levels above 4-8mg%.,The Veteran's gout was rated at the maximum schedular rating since November 28, 2012. Prior to that date, a higher rating is not warranted as his gout did not manifest consistent limitation of motion, unintentional weight loss, anemia, incapacitating exacerbations or total incapacity.