Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to determine the Veteran's current mailing address. The claim will be returned to the AOJ after this is done.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 17, 2014 is denied as he did not meet the percentage threshold requirement for TDIU and there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied an increased rating for type II (adult-onset) diabetes mellitus and found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and kidney disease are service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability and diabetes mellitus, type II, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the April 2009 statement of the case, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, is granted for accrued benefits purposes. The non-service connected pension claim is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and service connection, finding that he did not have a current hearing loss disability of either ear. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied in September 2010 and not reopened. The evidence received since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroparesis with chronic stomach pain (stomach condition) was reopened due to new evidence showing a positive relationship between the condition and sarcoidosis, which is already service-connected. The claim remains denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the hands were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year following discharge, and the Veteran's claim for service connection was denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, diabetic neuropathy, urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, stomach hernia, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence supports this claim and grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for hidradenitis suppurativa and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no evidence of their onset or incurrence during active service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately related to his service-connected diabetes, and thus the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent from December 6, 1999 to July 11, 2011. The issue of a higher rating for this period remains pending.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy on and after July 11, 2011 is rated at 20 percent.,Effective August 31, 2010, the Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,Prior to August 31, 2010, the issue of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.