Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's reactive airway disease was granted a rating of 30 percent from November 29, 2006 to May 17, 2013. His diabetes mellitus type II and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) were each rated at their maximum allowable ratings. The Veteran's left orchialgia was granted a noncompensable rating, while his erectile dysfunction remained noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, are found to be sufficient to preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on their current manifestations. The increased ratings for the disabilities are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, sleep apnea, and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The primary reasons were that there was no evidence of chronic hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and it is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was previously denied and not reopened. His bilateral foot disorder is not considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension is rated at 60 percent, and he meets the criteria for a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have Type II diabetes mellitus or erectile dysfunction due to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed as there is no legal or factual controversy remaining.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, and leukocytosis due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during his military service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or near the Korean DMZ, nor was he exposed to Agent Orange as alleged.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and a TDIU rating related to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the conditions did not manifest within one year post-service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and depression, as well as PTSD. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to exposure to herbicides. Both conditions are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the referral of other claims and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are associated with exposure to Agent Orange during service. As such, these conditions meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet and treatment with insulin and hypoglycemic agents, warranting his current 20 percent rating. However, the Veteran does not require regulation of activities as part of medical management of his diabetes.