Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for lymphoma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus II. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for OSA is also granted.,An effective date prior to July 8, 2014, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913 for Diabetes Mellitus Type II. For the period prior to October 31, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient schedular criteria and referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected right hip disability.

This decision denies service connection for a skin rash of the groin area, denies an extension of a temporary total rating beyond March 31, 2014 based on convalescence following right knee replacement surgery, and remands issues regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for right elbow disability, a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus with early cataracts, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 13, 2015 and thereafter.,PTSD remains on appeal as the Veteran's claim is not yet at its maximum allowable rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and granted it. The evidence shows that the Veteran has type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, chloracne, and secondary conditions. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during his military service.

The claims for PTSD, Depression and Stress, Left Knee Disability, and Low Back Disability have been granted. The claim for Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death. The VA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran’s heart failure was not related to his inability to exercise, which is a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,Left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy have both been rated at 20 percent.,PTSD from July 22, 2009 to July 11, 2011 was granted a 100 percent rating.,PTSD from October 1, 2011 and thereafter has also been granted a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke due to lack of in-service disease or injury, absence of a nexus between the disabilities and service, and failure to meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's March 23rd, 2013 private hospitalization was rendered in a medical emergency and whether a VA facility was feasibly available at the time of his private hospitalization. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling since March 22, 2013, and his diabetes mellitus type II, rated at 20 percent disabling since June 9, 2015, have resulted in a TDIU effective from the date of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with onychomycosis and erectile dysfunction, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met due to lack of regulation of activities.