Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and increased ratings for PTSD are granted. A rating of 70% is assigned from July 22, 2013 to May 31, 2016, and a rating of 100% is assigned after June 1, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during service, which grants presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. For PTSD, the Board found that symptoms from July 22, 2013 to May 31, 2016 met criteria for a 70% rating due to suicidal ideation and other severe symptoms. After June 1, 2016, the Veteran's symptoms of persistent hallucinations warranted a 100% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19187180
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD during a Board hearing, and the appeal is therefore dismissed.
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