Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide-agent exposure during active duty.,The Veteran's hypertension, gallbladder residuals, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and kidney disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining relevant Army Reserve treatment records related to a broken left leg during the Veteran's service. The issue of diabetes mellitus was not properly analyzed in the previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed as the appeal had already been activated into the Board’s Legacy appeals system.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The June 2019 audiometric test results showed that the Veteran met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under DC 6100.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied as it already received the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The June 2019 audiometric test results showed that the Veteran met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under DC 7913.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 9, 2019 for the award of an increased 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infraction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery was denied. The increase in disability did not meet the one-year criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 9, 2019 for basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was denied as he had a permanent and total service-connected disability from May 9, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 9, 2019 for the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was denied as his disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and a liver condition secondary to prostate cancer have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service that could support the Veteran's claim.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right and left knee disabilities has been withdrawn.,Service connection for migraine headaches and tinnitus have been granted, with the issue of diabetes being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining additional medical records.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD was denied due to lack of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer (CAP), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right lower extremity, lung condition including sarcoidosis, eye disorders and diseases, hypertension, and dermopathy other than melanoma are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, which requires one or more daily injections of insulin and a restricted diet. The Veteran does not require regulation of activities as part of his diabetes management.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetic nephropathy is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's diabetes and hepatitis are being evaluated for potential secondary service connection with other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether exposure to Agent Orange or use of medication for diabetes caused the Veteran's bladder cancer, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 20 percent prior to June 9, 2016, and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted from June 9, 2016, due to the need for regulation of activities.

The Veteran's hypertension, residual scar from laceration to left thumb, and service connection for erectile dysfunction are granted with a 20% rating effective May 2nd, 2016. Bilateral cataracts, diabetes mellitus, and gout are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date of the increased rating for diabetes mellitus is denied, and the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression with mood disorder associated with diabetes mellitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as due to herbicide exposure, have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is denied because there is no competent evidence showing that the Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disability is remanded.