Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam, as well as the nature of any psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type I diabetes mellitus and finds that it was shown during his period of active duty. The Veteran's medical opinion supports this finding.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension/hypertension with nephropathy claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 60 percent from April 11, 2014. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the bilateral feet and right knee are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded as there are no current medical opinions addressing its relationship to his active duty service, herbicide exposure, or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed service connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Thailand. Service connection for PTSD has been established based on credible supporting evidence of a claimed stressor that occurred while the Veteran served at Ubon RTAFB.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides in Guam. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent each, effective October 23, 2012. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional symptoms or progression.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted, but the effective date remains prior to March 4, 2009 for her assigned 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required a regulation of activities since February 26, 2008 and therefore does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The claims for hypertension and anxiety/depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hip disorder, ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as he did not file a new or reopened claim prior to August 1, 1986. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of his application on that day.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the appellant's exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and right knee condition have all been denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for hemorrhoidectomy and for reopening his previously denied PTSD, heart attack, stroke, breathing treatments/COPD, and anal reconstruction claims. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.

The Veteran's disability ratings for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were reduced, with the reduction in the rating for diabetes mellitus being proper due to improvement in his condition. The Veteran was not entitled to a higher rating as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.