Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a lung condition, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression and alcohol abuse; pancreatitis; and/or type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as the current VA examination report is inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and heart condition (congestive heart failure) are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The RO previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension and onychomycosis of the bilateral fifth toenails is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects that it requires insulin and a restricted diet. The Veteran does not have any regulation of activities due to his diabetes mellitus. Ischemic heart disease has not been established as incurred or secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied because it did not manifest within a year after service. PTSD was not diagnosed during service and thus cannot be granted based on service connection.,The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA benefits funds was found to be lacking.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right great toenail removal, or tinnitus for VA purposes. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule him for VA examinations, and determine the appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issue remains whether diabetes mellitus, type II, was incurred in or aggravated by active duty and/or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from Agent Orange exposure have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent or higher, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, diabetes mellitus to include pseudophakia, tinnitus, and residual scar of the right ear) are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and right wrist disability are rated at the maximum levels allowed by law. The left wrist disorder, asthma, and skin disability claims have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, collectively render him unemployable since November 5, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to initial compensable rating for pharyngitis is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and his claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, lymphoma, and ischemic heart disease, were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.