Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has reviewed new evidence submitted by the Veteran and finds that it should be considered in the first instance by the AOJ. The appeal is therefore remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for an eye condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and frequent urination is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since April 17, 2018. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to diabetes and renal insufficiency, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and the need to address whether the Veteran's diabetes pre-existed service or is related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, and his PTSD disability rating was restored. The VA is directed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran was also remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his right foot condition and Agent Orange exposure claims.,The VA has not yet obtained the Veteran’s complete service personnel records to determine if he had in-country service in Vietnam or was otherwise exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asbestos exposure, low back disability, sciatic nerve impingement, cervical spondylitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, gastroesophageal disease (GERD), and sinusitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left foot condition, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and type II diabetes mellitus, but has remanded the claim for service connection for a tumor behind the right eardrum due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The AOJ must verify the locations of the USS Kitty Hawk during the period from April 1961 to January 1963 and whether it was in the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure or actual exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The Board found that the Veteran was presumed to have had herbicide agent exposure in service and has a current diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent from April 12, 2016. His diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been reopened. The Board has found new and material evidence to warrant reopening the claims. However, further development is needed due to conflicting exposure assertions and lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, but his obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by PTSD.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and a lower back condition are denied. Service connection for cervical spondylosis (claimed as neck condition) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and up-to-date VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for perianal and intra anal condyloma acumination, diabetes mellitus type II, right shoulder condition, right elbow condition, cervical spine condition, and right bicep muscle condition are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, finding that it is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active military service in Vietnam.