Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and cardiac arrhythmia and/or SVT, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to active duty service or any other condition.

The Veteran's increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a more current examination and additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The claims were reopened due to new material evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged second-hand exposure to herbicides in Japan.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have diabetes during service or within one year of separation and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board also found that the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,An effective date of August 1, 2008 for an evaluation of 100 percent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted. The Veteran filed a claim for increased compensation on June 30, 2009 and the VA awarded him a 100 percent rating for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma effective April 14, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to outstanding private treatment records being requested.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for reopening and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder) is reopened, but the issue of whether it is related to service remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and remanded the issues of diabetes secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's daughter is recognized as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative ano-rectal canal displacement and stenosis, migraine headaches, and diabetic retinopathy is granted. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability remains pending as new evidence did not reopen the claim.

The Veteran's character of discharge was dishonorable, which bars him from receiving VA benefits. As a result, the appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as secondary to diabetes mellitus II. Additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the symptoms are due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy or other conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for hearing loss. Additional development is required due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, headaches, left lower extremity neuropathy, a sciatic nerve condition of the right leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent or more for diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective December 28, 2011. The claim for TDIU is also dismissed as the PTSD with depression alone renders the Veteran unemployable.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The cases for a bilateral eye condition, heart disorder secondary to PTSD, and diabetes mellitus secondary to arthritic disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, refractive error (now claimed as blurry vision), bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type 2, and a right eye injury. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea are also granted as they are considered direct service-connected based on their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.