Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type 2; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation due to potential worsening since the last VA evaluations in August 2014.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 100 percent from February 1, 2012, to October 6, 2017.,The Veteran's postsurgical scars were rated at 10 percent beginning March 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

Your initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been denied. Ratings of 40 percent have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective June 26, 2017.

Service connection is granted for hypothyroidism, diabetes as secondary to hypothyroidism, palpitations of the heart and high cholesterol as secondary to hypothyroidism. Service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction is not rated as compensable, but he is granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues remain.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and PTSD are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by and aggravated beyond its natural progress by his service-connected type II diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of all digits of the left hand, right leg disability, and left ankle disability have been reopened. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis has not been reopened.,Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of all digits of the left hand.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II (DM) with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, and major depressive disorder as these conditions are not considered disabilities under VA laws. The claims for diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder secondary to thoracic lumbar strain have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy as there is no evidence of onset or exposure to herbicides during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic cystopathy and erectile dysfunction, but has remanded his claim for service connection for gastroparesis.,The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to verify service dates and obtain relevant medical records, including private mental health records. The examiner will provide opinions on whether each condition is related to or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as a result of presumed service connection due to continuity of symptoms within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is remanded as additional private treatment records may be relevant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not found new evidence to support these claims.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals from August 1, 2014. The claims for service connection of IHD and DM II are remanded due to lack of recent medical records and need for new VA examinations. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.