Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus as no new and material evidence was received, and the claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's CAD disability is rated at 60% from December 2, 2013 to June 26, 2017. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date and denied the claim for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for an increase in the rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, reopening of a claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being referred for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound, and compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151 for blindness. The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death was granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), left bundle branch block, and diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they were either not present during active duty or did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year from separation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the claims of increased ratings for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, bipolar disorder, and denied service connection for headaches, bilateral hip conditions, and diabetes. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type two, its complications including loss of vision, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea due to a lack of medical examination. The Veteran's PTSD is already service connected.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his active duty. The issues of hypertension, stroke, and paralysis are also remanded for further development as they may be related to the Veteran's lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, urinary disorder, and back disorder were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or event, continuous service, or a nexus to service.,Service connection could not be established due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, lung disability, headache disability, LADD, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, enlarged prostate condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 17, 2012 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the first communication from the Veteran to VA evidencing intent to file a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was received on May 17, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cases of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence showing it had its onset in service or was otherwise related to active duty.