Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied because he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hand and wrist disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, DM due to herbicide exposure in Thailand, low back condition, HTN secondary to DM, and OSA. The claims are being remanded for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for this condition. The rating for ischemic heart disease is also remanded as the VA examination did not discuss left ventricular dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure, coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure, and left lower extremity amputation secondary to service-connected CAD. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an increased rating for major depression with anxiety due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between these conditions and service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, left fifth toe/foot disorder, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy of the right and left legs and feet, and sinus disorder due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's statements indicate he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Tappahannock, but verification is needed from the U.S. Army, Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether prescribed medications or knee braces used by the Veteran were related to service-connected conditions and caused damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a left elbow injury, postoperative (also claimed as arthritis) was denied.,Service connection for back sprain associated with the left elbow injury and diabetes mellitus, type II were also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea have been granted. The appeals are based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded due to new evidence suggesting current diagnoses. The claim for PTSD is also remanded as there may be a connection between his sleep issues and service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service and was not related to any in-service symptoms or exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not begin during or as a result of his military service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder. The decision also deferred adjudication of issues regarding heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined nature with the primary claim.

The Board denied service connection for CAD, diabetes mellitus type II, ED, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and cataracts as these conditions are not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 12, 2017.