Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical records, and requests for additional information have not been completed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes, bilateral hip condition, respiratory disorder, and eye disability is granted. The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents or PCBs.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination. The TDIU claim was also denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher levels of special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(3), finding that he did not meet the criteria for these rates based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus Type II, finding that an inadequate VA examination was used to deny these claims. The Veteran is to be provided with a new VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to his military service, specifically exposure to chemical agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and left lower extremity neuropathy as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (DM) and kidney disorder, but denied service connection for left foot disorder and lower extremity neuropathy. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, heart disability, skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have been incurred during service.,His unspecified depressive disorder is determined to be secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not related to service.,Back, neck, left knee, and right knee disorders are all denied as not related to service.,Right eye and left eye disorders are also denied as not related to service.,Diabetes mellitus is denied as not related to service.,Peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities and lower extremities are both denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection for depression as a separate disability from PTSD is denied, and his initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 14, 2017. The Board found that the evidence does not show a level of impairment so severe that it is impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for service connection for various disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's Tietze syndrome is rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II due to radiation exposure is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC based on anatomical loss of both feet, need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities other than bilateral knee amputation, and additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more. The highest level of SMC awarded is SMC-N.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) based on exposure to herbicide agents. The appeals were not granted as there was no in-service diagnosis or evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 3, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues related to blood clot, DMII, and hypertensive vascular disease.