Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a connection between the Veteran's abdomen and intestinal disorders and military service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected. The OSA is secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his current employment, but the Board finds that he should be afforded new VA examinations and updated treatment records as his employment status has changed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's avascular necrosis of the left hip is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating from May 9, 2006. Basic eligibility for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted prior to August 22, 2012. Appeals for other issues are dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his inability to work due to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete records. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorders and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating, and his diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling due to regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pleural effusion of the left lung and increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and mild diabetic retinopathy were denied. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of a current chronic lung disability attributable to his military service or to his service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least March 9, 2011. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from July 20, 2015.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to the dates assigned.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke residuals claims are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, and need for etiology opinions.

A 20 percent rating for the service-connected back disorder is granted effective July 1, 2015.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and toenail fungus are denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and rating decisions related to diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and chronic congestive heart failure. The Veteran's conditions were found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes.