Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, and bronchial asthma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any service-connected disability.,There was no credible evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new evidence has raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted, with some issues being denied. The Veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II, and an initial rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus type II prior to February 2, 2016, and an increased rating of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension was reopened due to new evidence, but service connection is not granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his eye disability and urinary disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (secondary to diabetes and/or PTSD), alcoholism (secondary to PTSD), joint pain (including fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis) (secondary to PTSD), gastrointestinal condition (secondary to PTSD), initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD have all been denied. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or findings of hearing loss, asbestosis, hypertension, alcoholism, joint pain, gastrointestinal condition, diabetes mellitus, or CAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck, back, or left knee disability etiologically related to his active duty service.,There is also no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II in the record.

The Board found that the cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest, was not related to service or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was also not determined to be a contributing factor in his death.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,The Board found no link between the Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and bilateral cataracts with his active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been rated based on its severity, with increased ratings granted for certain periods. The TDIU was also granted effective May 31, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for a rating of 80 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520, which pertains to paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The maximum available benefit has therefore been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether there are available VA treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection on appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including primarily his major depression, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require insulin and a restricted diet prior to July 14, 2015. He has not required more than two doses of insulin per day or a restricted diet resulting in episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization.,Prior to April 13, 2007, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes did not include peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. There was no evidence of weakness or impaired reflexes.,From April 13, 2007 to June 18, 2009, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of numbness in his toes which would come and go and occasional leg pain, with nothing rising to the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,From June 18, 2009 to September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of peripheral neuropathy that was no more than mild in each leg. After September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of moderate peripheral neuropathy in each leg.,The Veteran's hypertension has not resulted in blood pressure readings predominantly higher than 160 systolic or 100 diastolic.,The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not include actual or approximated deformity of the penis or testicles.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted effective from August 20, 2009. The case is now before the Board with an earlier effective date established and initial ratings assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims are related to service connection, but specific theories of entitlement have not been provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records. The claims for service connection for diabetes, bronchitis (presumed exposure), right knee disorder, heart disorder, and bronchitis are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the appellant's symptoms on February 2, 1994 represent the incurrence of diabetes.