Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 6, 2013 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for DM II was withdrawn by the Veteran during his April 2018 hearing. The heart disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure, workload greater than three METs but not greater than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or LVEF of 30 to 50 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the current severity and etiology of his bilateral upper and lower extremity conditions. The PTSD claim is also remanded due to the Veteran's recent complaints of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and diabetes mellitus are granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

Service connection for diabetes, fibromyalgia, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, sexual dysfunction (including erectile dysfunction), bladder cancer, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or complaints related to these conditions. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is found to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease. Service connection is remanded for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, gout, acid reflux, liver condition, hypertension, carotid artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to service or secondary to service-connected disability. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as he only requires oral medication and restricted diet to manage his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records, including those from Dr. Nicholas A. Nagrani and Dr. Joseph A. Pedone. Additionally, he needs to authorize VA to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and clarification regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. Other service connection issues remain pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, partial right foot amputation, and left eye disability were not service connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange in Vietnam or North Korea during his active duty service from January 1974 to March 1974. As a result, service connection for these conditions could not be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both of which are to be presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his military service in Thailand is not supported by evidence. The claim was also denied for an increased rating and earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss.,The TDIU claim remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for the cause of his death, finding that neither direct service connection nor presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure was warranted. The Board also found no secondary service connection based on diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke due to lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his current symptoms.