Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since February 6, 2006. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded. The Board finds that a Statement of the Case must be issued on this issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, leaving only the service connection issue which was granted.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for right knee disability, and increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC benefits based on housebound criteria is denied because the earliest possible effective date is May 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, periodic limb movement disorder, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are etiologically related to his exposure to chemical and environmental hazards, including herbicide agents, during service at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure during service, and for obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded for further development and consideration of the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral cataracts and onychomycosis of the bilateral toes, as well as his claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. Additionally, the TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides while stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his alleged exposure and VA will verify it according to established procedures.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 5, 2006. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand are both rated at 10 percent each. His demyelinating neuropathies of the lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent each. His chronic ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 20, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected diabetes type II, finding that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the hypertension was caused by or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims file needs to be reviewed and additional evidence obtained.

The Veteran's appeal of pseudo folliculitis barbae is dismissed. Depression service connection is granted, but the case for diabetes mellitus and low libido are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending claims on appeal, including those for service connection and ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, which is considered permanent and total, granted him eligibility for dependents' educational assistance (DEA) effective April 5, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records detailing the Veteran's treatment for her claimed conditions are relevant and must be reviewed.