Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded several other claims due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the case. The new evidence includes a private medical opinion diagnosing PTSD as exacerbated by complications of surgery related to CAD.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, while the denial of COPD and remand for further review on herbicide exposure are noted.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were based on the Veteran's contention that his conditions were caused by exposure to toxins during active service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent for the entire rating period. The Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence related to left wrist disability, back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a combined-effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, including C-123 aircraft contaminated with herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unemployable due to physical impairments. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left knee arthritis, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD have been dismissed. The claim for special monthly pension (SMP) has also been dismissed.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are granted. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis. Additional medical records are needed to determine if the Veteran has had a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus at any time during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus is not addressed, as service connection for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including service connection claims and a rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his diabetes mellitus. The VA must attempt to verify the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange or other similar herbicides during service, as well as provide an opinion on the relationship between his current diabetes mellitus and any in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes had its onset in service, and therefore grants service connection for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial disability ratings for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.