Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent from July 23, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination and a new evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD. TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a skin disorder, and that there was no nexus between any of these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities due to its severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The claims for migraine headaches, head injury, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim of PTSD was recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disability but remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant requires aid and attendance due to her health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and no in-service occurrence related to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to additional VA medical records being added to the file.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inclusion of new VA examination reports that were not considered in the initial decision. The AOJ needs to review these additional documents and consider their impact on the disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of death and service connection for any disabilities that may have contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. His claims for increased ratings of varicose veins and knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating. The Veteran’s service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and there are no compensable complications.,Diabetes mellitus requires more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider.

The Veteran's portal hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.,Service connection for essential hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson’s disease were withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke have been dismissed as there is no evidence to support service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right hand tremors, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction is granted. Service connection for peripheral vision problems is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran does not have these conditions as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, including a lack of METs data for his heart condition. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess current disability levels.