Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bursitis, including the medications used to treat it.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals, as well as diabetes mellitus type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether this condition is related to herbicide exposure during service remains unresolved as more information is needed.

The Board denied service connection for renal disease and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no diagnosis within a year after discharge, and no competent evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 (with minimal urinary symptoms), with erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's right eye diabetic retinopathy is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and how much of it is attributable solely to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and low back and knee disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, which requires insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board found no evidence to warrant an increase in the rating.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type two are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations. Additionally, his TDIU and SMC claims are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The examiner must determine if the Veteran’s diabetes is related to his active duty service, specifically in-service glucose levels and exposure to environmental hazards during Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic retinopathy due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case was remanded for further evaluation regarding the Veteran's bilateral cataracts and pseudophakia.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for dysthymic disorder with anxiety disorder and granted entitlement to a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II or peripheral neuropathy, and denied service connection for respiratory condition and eye disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorder, and sleep apnea due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a rating in excess of this and also denied entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes and granted it, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at U-Tapao RTAFB. Diabetes is presumed to be related to this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% PTSD disability rating and TDIU rating is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, and stroke residuals are all granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if the stroke residuals are secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded both claims due to insufficient information regarding exposure to herbicide agents and a need for further examination for hearing loss.