Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been reopened and is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal varices remains denied as there is no current disability or established link to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further development. The Veteran's necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is rated at 60 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7821. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service or related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition and dysthymic disorder, but denied his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's heart condition was granted as it is likely caused by his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to exposure to nerve agent during military operations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records (STRs), and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which a claim could be considered was September 9, 1993.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status from August 3, 2011 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle injury, mesothelioma, heart disability including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.,Additional issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and temporary total rating for a period of convalescence have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for asthma, coronary artery disease, actinic keratosis, alopecia, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now before the Board.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (peptic ulcer disease), acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was granted as his in-country service and presumed exposure to herbicide agent (Gulf War) are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus as a result of herbicide agent exposure is granted, and his service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, left ankle and foot, gout, eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The issues regarding initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetes and initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy right and left lower extremity were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, to include special monthly compensation (SMC) for erectile dysfunction that has been established as being secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, is dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is well controlled with diet alone and does not require insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, or regulation of activities. As a result, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DMII, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 90%.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and diabetes do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.