Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, and higher ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities affecting both the sciatic and femoral nerves are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his diagnoses and etiology. Effective dates prior to November 16, 2012, for the assignment of 20 percent ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities affecting the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as they are related to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to metastatic colon carcinoma, but remanded for further development as a medical opinion is needed regarding whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and leg cramps, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has denied effective dates prior to June 19, 2014 for service connection of coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction with SMC on account of loss of use of a creative organ. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the claim is moot due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, as well as a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim based on presumed herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions, and now requires additional development including obtaining updated VA records and a new examination for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's Crohn’s Disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not service-connected.,Service connection for a heart disorder is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, or related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The decision on the merits is pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his condition does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused by his military service or his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and PTSD. The Board denied the claim for service connection.