Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have been granted service connection. Ratings for knee instability are granted, with a TDIU effective January 1, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with anxiety and depression), sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, a skin disability, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is pending further development based on new legal guidance regarding the expansion of the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left ankle sprain and right knee pain (shin splints) was granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also granted.,Claims for service connection for hallux disability of the right foot, disability affecting the head of the metatarsal right big toe, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's history of renal stone of the left ureter is not compensable as it does not affect his body or exposed areas, nor does he require topical therapy.,Service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy (cardiac disorder) due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and is being remanded.,The Veteran's left foot disorder, right foot disorder, hypertension, chronic acid reflux, memory loss, chronic headache disorder, and sleep disorder are all being remanded.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, schizophrenia, is granted service connection. Service connection for a back disorder, sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and foot disorder (pes planus) are denied.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability since September 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was granted. The issue of whether he is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand, remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, finding that additional development is required to determine if he served in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to his time aboard the U.S.S. Tripoli while operating offshore Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied reopening of the previously denied claims for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding his thyroid condition and upper extremity conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 21, 2010, were found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed due to their death.

Service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is granted. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs are denied. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from active duty and was unrelated to any in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, hernia, pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's representative indicated that a search in Panama would be futile, but the Board found that actual exposure cannot be conceded without further development.