Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, and joint pain. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from August 31, 2010 to November 1, 2011. The Veteran also does not qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, type II for further inquiry into the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Korea.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as his condition has been characterized by treatment requiring insulin and restricted diet.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was diagnosed within one year of his discharge from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, major depressive disorder, and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension). The claim for reopening of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was also denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and remanded the remaining issues including diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity; peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes, hypertension as secondary to diabetes, and renal dysfunction as secondary to diabetes are all granted. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. A 10 percent rating is granted for a painful scar from left carpal tunnel release surgery, subject to further examination for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), hypertension, and obesity were denied as they are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange, lead, PCB or other chemicals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim will be further evaluated after verifying his duty status during a period of active duty and obtaining VA examination results.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder (claimed as arthritis), eye disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Diabetes mellitus, left ear hearing loss, and a disability manifested by head pain and bruxism are now considered service-connected. Migraine headaches were denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and retinopathy, as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's diabetes required avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities.

The Board has directed the AOJ to clarify a July 2010 medical report regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The AOJ failed to contact the author of the report and did not inform the Veteran that they could submit an opinion from another qualified professional if necessary. As a result, the case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary to determine the severity of the Veteran’s diabetes throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in some cases, but denied on the merits. The decisions are mixed as to whether certain conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly raised issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to sleep apnea and obesity. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is also being remanded for additional development, including an examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted a 40 percent rating from the date of service connection. The Veteran's coronary artery disease prior to March 1, 2013, does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.