Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to the lack of a specific in-service stressor being established.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative submucous resection and rhinoplasty for deviated septum is remanded.

The claims for TDIU and service connection for hypertension and diabetes are remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including verification of National Guard service and treatment records. The Veteran's unemployability claim will be referred to the Director of VA Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. For hypertension and diabetes, a new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the shell fragment wounds issue. The appellant is seeking service connection for both causes.

The Board has found that more evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for various disabilities, and has ordered a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with consideration of new VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including glaucoma with right eye blindness, right carotid artery stenosis with right hemisphere CVA (stroke), coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II. The VA will obtain a formal finding from the Joint Services Records Research Center regarding the Veteran's exposure in Okinawa.

The Veteran's appeal of prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues regarding loss of sense of balance and falling, respiratory disability, bowel dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II for further development.

The Veteran's diabetic cataracts are rated at 10 percent since August 8, 2011. His erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, right knee gout, and a right foot disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that none of his disabilities attributable to presumed exposure to herbicide agents caused or contributed to his death. The immediate cause of death was sepsis, which began shortly before the Veteran's death while hospitalized.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with a rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for service connection for colon cancer and hypertension were reopened based on new evidence submitted since their previous denials. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis was denied for a compensable rating prior to August 14, 2013 and for ratings in excess of 30 percent from August 14, 2013 to June 7, 2017. The claim for a higher rating after June 8, 2017 was also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was remanded as it may have complications that warrant separate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis C, chronic liver disability (secondary to hepatitis C), diabetes mellitus (secondary to sleep apnea), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. Service connection for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another was granted due to the Veteran's severe memory issues related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, diagnosed as other specified trauma disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied. The heart disability, ischemic heart disease and bradycardia, status post myocardial infarction and pacemaker implantation, is granted service connection. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are both granted service connection. Service connection for a respiratory/lung disability and bilateral cataracts remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral feet are granted service connection. The hand disability (CTS) is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus Type II due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi.