Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and is granted.,There is no evidence of a current left toe disability, denial for this issue.,The Veteran does not have a current back disability, hypertension, or erectile dysfunction related to service. Denial for these issues.,The right foot condition is attributed to diabetes mellitus rather than service. Denial for this issue.,The Veteran's chest pain (heart disability) was likely due to his pre-existing GERD and not service-related. Denial for this issue.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted due to his service-connected PTSD, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of January 22, 2019, based on his combined rating of 90 percent for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's respiratory condition and diabetes are granted service connection, while the heart conditions and hypertension issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected type two diabetes and associated peripheral neuropathies have resulted in a TDIU since June 1, 2006. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted for upper-extremity neuropathy due to exposure to an herbicide agent or as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disability, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation due to new symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for more information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the portion of the February 26, 2019 decision that denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, thoracolumbar or cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus. The Board partially denied the Motion to Vacate regarding the claims granted by the February 26, 2019 decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II for further factual development regarding potential in-service exposure to herbicides. The temporary total evaluation due to heart surgery is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, Raynaud’s syndrome of hands and feet, kidney disorder with stones, night sweats, and hypertension due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and its impact on his right eye cataract. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded his claims for a back disability and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection and evaluations, including those related to the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, right shoulder, cervical spine, left leg, right leg, bilateral eye, sleep-related symptoms, prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records from SSA and VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to a lack of information from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The AOJ is instructed to request all relevant SSA records, including copies of the appellant’s application and decision. If these records are unavailable, the AOJ should notify the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, lupus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides.,Specifically, the RO must determine if the USS Frederick (LST-1184) was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during service. If so, an addendum VA opinion will be obtained to assess the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for erectile dysfunction. The remand is due to the need to verify whether the Veteran landed in Vietnam between January 1966 and January 1967.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the cases are being remanded to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his Vietnam War service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.