Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The claim to reopen his hypertension service connection was also granted based on new evidence showing a current disability and its relationship to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional records and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II based on herbicide exposure. The appeal was dismissed as there were no communications prior to December 16, 2011 indicating a claim had been filed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, sleep apnea, and memory loss disability as they are not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts have precluded the Veteran from substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met from August 9, 2011 to January 13, 2015.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other disabilities, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral athlete's foot, prostate cancer, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability are all service-connected. The diabetes mellitus claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure are being remanded as the VA has not verified his claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is aggravated by his service-connected IBS, and because the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder is intertwined with a TDIU claim that remains in remand status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,VA has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for gastroenteritis was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension demonstrated improvement to the extent that a 60 percent rating effective October 1, 2015 was properly assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and vision loss are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for both conditions is denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not been manifested by the requirement of regulation of activities, and thus a higher rating is denied.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8512 due to incomplete paralysis that is moderate.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is also currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8512 due to incomplete paralysis that is moderate.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his hypertension, as well as whether diabetes mellitus may have aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened based on his assertion that he was diagnosed with diabetes during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claim for increased disability rating for the lumbar spine disorder and TDIU are granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current diagnosis of a toenail condition, including onychomycosis and ingrown toenails, is related to his military service. Service connection is granted for this condition. However, the issue of service connection for bladder cancer remains pending as there are no effective dates provided.