Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination considering the aggregate effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes is related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has not fully addressed the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, as it is secondary to a service-connected condition. The case needs to be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is related to his in-service onychomycosis and if it began during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and are not otherwise related to service. Service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor, and allergic rhinitis is also denied as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher evaluations for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as service connection for left and right leg disabilities. The issues are being reviewed due to the passage of time since the NODs were filed and previous inquiries from the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and restoration of disability ratings for various knee and ankle conditions were denied. The appeal was remanded for further action on other issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to his service exposure to trichloroethylene, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar strain and a clarification of his pre-diabetes diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, residuals of colon cancer, chloracne, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is required including obtaining VA treatment records, authorization for a physical examination, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, but denied for all other conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability of the individual due to service-connected disabilities, including dementia (presumptive via PACT Act), diabetes mellitus type II, chronic neck pain, colitis, and sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and left upper extremity were denied. The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity from July 9, 2019, and a 40 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity from July 9, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to January 30, 2015. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, arthritis of the left hand, and diabetes mellitus are currently in remand status at the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's lay statements indicate in-service noise exposure and trouble with hearing since active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service records. The claims will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (including colon cancer), kidney disability (including kidney failure), and diabetes. The evidence did not establish an in-service event or incident that caused these conditions.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for renal disease as secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's kidney disease is believed to have been aggravated by his pre-existing diabetes.