Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death and service-connected conditions are related. The focus is on determining if the metastatic renal carcinoma was caused by Agent Orange exposure, if chronic renal failure aggravated diabetes mellitus, and if these conditions contributed to the Veteran's overall health.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA needs to verify his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1984 to 2004 and obtain an opinion on whether the condition occurred during ACDUTRA.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for these conditions are remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's service on the USS Worden.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether erectile dysfunction is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus and if it is aggravated by the condition.

The Veteran's disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are now rated at a combined rating of 80 percent. A total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), mental condition, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, type II, left leg disability, and right leg disability are all denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for right leg nerve pain and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or direct service connection. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI residuals were granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to a lack of nerve conduction studies in his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions preclude his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing records and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by VA regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao AFB. The Veteran is asked to provide specific details about his alleged exposure, and if no response is received, VA will seek verification from appropriate bodies.

The Veteran was not in receipt of a 100% disability evaluation for at least 8 continuous years prior to his death, so he did not qualify for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as related to in-service stressors, including fear of hostile military activity. The Board also found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for PTSD due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further examination. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20% disability rating and TDIU is also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and DDD of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for increased rating for hypertension was also denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gunshot wound residuals, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support the claims. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board grants a new rating. The claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are all denied.

The Board has ordered additional action on the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to a remand from the Court. The Veteran's death in January 2013 is noted, along with his military service history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a painful appendectomy scar and diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran’s diabetes is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).