Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for cataracts due to diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service, but remanded other issues including sinusitis, emphysema, COPD, gallbladder condition, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, acid reflux, stroke residuals, arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular/arterial disease (PVD/PAD) of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot and calf neuropathy were granted increased ratings of 60 percent each, effective July 22, 2015.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The effective date remains pending as the RO has not addressed this issue in its decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and residuals of a stroke are related to his active service. However, due to insufficient evidence for these claims, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for a higher rating for DMII with erectile dysfunction, were denied. The appeal is also remanded for further consideration on the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition required more than one daily insulin injection and regulation of activities. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically C-123 aircraft used for Agent Orange spraying.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. A new VA examination is also required.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension or cardiovascular-renal disease (including hypertension) began in service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes with associated peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the hypertension claim as it did not address the NAS study on hypertension and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his income and employment during the appeal period from April 16, 2003 to April 12, 2011. The AOJ must assess his level of disability and determine whether he meets the net worth and income requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but service connection remains denied.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder arthritis and leg pain as these conditions are not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Service connection is also denied.,Headaches and PTSD are not etiologically related to the Veteran’s active duty service.,Service connection for depression has been granted with staged initial ratings from October 2, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and prostate cancer due to a lack of evidence showing herbicide agent exposure during service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.,For the skin rash disorder claim, there is no evidence linking it to service or any other presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus type II, as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's costochondritis is rated with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus II, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints related to GERD in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of these conditions within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted due to his current symptoms and restrictions advised by his doctor. However, the most recent VA treatment records are dated in September 2015, so additional evidence is needed for an accurate assessment.