Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's DM does not require insulin or regulation of activities, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM cannot be prior to May 22, 2011 as it was granted on this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, asthma, diabetes, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU since July 23, 2010.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, for the period prior to June 4, 2013. The other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to unresolved issues regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II with onychomycosis of the toes is being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence that has not been considered in the current decision.

The Veteran's right and left leg neuropathies are rated at 40 percent each, effective October 17, 2016. The Veteran is also granted Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral leg neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings in most cases.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of head trauma, scar on top of the head, and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Service connection is denied for loss of vision and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation has been reopened due to new evidence. However, the claims remain denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to conflicting medical records and the need for clarification of past suicidal ideation.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for hypertension. Service connection was remanded for COPD and diabetes mellitus/ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to herbicide exposure and/or asbestos exposure, finding that lung cancer did not have its onset during service or manifest within a year after separation. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran’s lung cancer to his service-connected hyperthyroidism.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) and/or 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but the cause of death (cardiac arrest) is related to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed to determine if PTSD caused or aggravated alcoholism/alcohol abuse.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence, but the issue is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service.