Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, hypertension, migraines/chronic headaches, eczema, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied as no such disabilities were shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for residuals of a right ear injury (other than congenitally enlarged mastoid bone), acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. However, additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating a right elbow condition, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for shoulder surgery and memory loss/mental defect, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disease (claimed as scoliosis). The decision also noted that the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The Board also found that the use of Prednisone for asthma may have aggravated his sleep apnea, but did not grant secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The current ratings of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, 10 percent each for upper extremities, and 30 percent each for lower extremities are upheld.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the November 2015 examination is outdated and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted a restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for CAD, denied service connection for sleep apnea, and denied TDIU. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for coronary bypass surgery due to coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the issues of propriety of reduction in rating of rheumatoid arthritis, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee traumatic arthritis, and service connection for diabetes mellitus due to procedural errors and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and Type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents need further investigation due to lack of information on the ships' locations during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a below the knee amputation of the right leg, rating in excess of 20 percent for plantar warts of the right foot, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. The claim for heart disability is denied, while the skin disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to July 14, 2017. A rating of 40 percent is granted beginning July 14, 2017.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus beginning July 14, 2017, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease have been reopened, but the Board has remanded both issues due to lack of verification of exposure to herbicide agents in England.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and chloracne. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for further verification of exposure and examination.