Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability for at least eight years prior, thus denying Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits at the enhanced rate.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 40 percent since December 31, 2013. Separate ratings of 20 percent are assigned for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically ventricular arrhythmia, is granted as service connected. The claims for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. Service connection for anxiety was denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, with some remanded for further examination and development. The initial rating for depression disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in a final decision. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, as the current evidence does not support a higher rating under the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type two was denied as the evidence does not support a link to service. Claims for right and left foot disabilities and migraines were reopened due to new and material evidence. However, no service connection was granted for these conditions. The Veteran's scar of the right ear remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist injury is granted. The claims for status post fifth toe fracture and status first metatarsal osteotomy, left are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for back, bilateral leg, and bilateral knee disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issues have not been decided on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and headaches as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinions found no link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been reopened, but the issue of service connection remains remanded due to insufficient rationale in a previous opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and other musculoskeletal issues, has been granted. However, some claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, brain tumor, and left leg neuropathy due to lack of a medical opinion linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is also under review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions require him to need regular aid and attendance, thus he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it was inferred from his allegations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to a lack of a complete copy of an article from the Ryukyu Shimpo Paper, which discusses levels of Agent Orange debris in Okinawa City.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are service-connected as their onset is at least in equipoise with service, and they meet the criteria for direct service connection.