Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for erectile disorder (ED) and HTN.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 31, 2000 for the grant of service connection for type 2 diabetes was granted. The appeal seeking revision of a September 2012 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was dismissed as the rating decision did not become final.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information in a previous VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's stroke was caused or worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 9, 2011 for the grant of a TDIU rating as there was no evidence showing he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities before that date.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and schizophrenia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for service connection for a headache disorder has been reopened.,A VA opinion in May 2017 indicated that the Veteran's schizophrenia is more likely than not caused by his pyeloplasty for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction, which was aggravated by post-surgical pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and disabilities manifesting in dizziness/syncope and burning in the chest due to exposure to JP-4 jet fuel during service. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to chronic leukemia, as there was no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to radiation.

The Veteran's appeals regarding heart disability, prostate disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, retinopathy, cervical spine disability, diabetic nephropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic lymphocytic leukemia were reopened, but denied. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 40 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for separate ratings for an eye condition or erectile dysfunction associated with service-connected diabetes. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are granted. However, the claim for hypertension is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to pulmonary embolism, which is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for a kidney/bladder disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder remain remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to insufficient private medical records, which may contain relevant information for the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic parotitis with stones, status post left parotidectomy, left knee disability, and right knee disability has been reopened. The claims are granted as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, chronic renal disease/diabetic nephropathy, and depressive disorder.,Effective dates are denied for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis, particularly in relation to his service-connected diabetes.