Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for an upper and lower back condition was also denied, with no evidence showing such conditions during service or at present. The eye condition claim was granted on a secondary basis to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the VA is remanded to provide a medical opinion on whether his contributory conditions (coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus) contributed substantially or materially to his death. The burial benefits claim will also be reconsidered as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disability, including diabetic retinopathy, is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for depression and upper extremity neuropathy was granted, while his TDIU claim was also granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for each of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease was also addressed, but as part of the remand process.

The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during service, which supports his claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, nerve damage to the feet and legs, and a right eye condition. The claim for TDIU is also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a separate disability manifested by memory loss, or skin conditions related to service. Peripheral vascular disease was not diagnosed in the record. Service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, bilateral cataracts, and retinopathy was granted but with limitations on activities due to complications.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left shoulder condition were found to have been incurred during service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 28, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, are sufficient to produce unemployability without regard to advancing age.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and increased ratings for his disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, sores on the left foot, a left eye condition, bilateral pes planus, and a left foot scar. The effective date of the denial is July 15, 2016.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. As a result, the Veteran's claim to restore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is granted. However, his claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the effective date for the grant of PTSD with alcohol abuse was July 21, 2008. The issues remain pending.