Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence. The issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 10, 2012, which is when the original claim for TDIU was received.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is denied. Service connection has also been remanded for hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 2012 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The Board finds that the earliest date entitlement could have arisen was February 2005 based on the onset of the disability during service. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded due to new evidence showing worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; low back disorder; sleep apnea; and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all denied.,Service connection for skeletal arthritis is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (left and right) and upper extremities (left and right) is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.,Service connection for bilateral kidney disability is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition (diabetic retinopathy) is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU as of this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The Board will consider whether his hearing loss, hypertension, CAD, and diabetes mellitus may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney cancer (renal carcinoma) were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, during his military service in Guam. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his claimed exposures.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, vision problems, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for left upper extremity paralysis, right upper extremity pain, left lower extremity pain, and right lower extremity pain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure, as well as his claim for a higher rating for dermatophytosis. Additional development is needed regarding the Veteran’s reports of herbicide agent exposure and his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD have been dismissed. The Veteran does not have a current kidney disability.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) as the conditions pre-existed military service and were not aggravated by it.,There is no evidence of permanent aggravation of either condition during active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by impotence was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder was granted based on newly received evidence suggesting a potential correlation between a currently-diagnosed skin disorder and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides while aboard the USS Topeka in Da Nang Harbor, Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2, both claimed as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.,Hypertension was not caused by or worsened in severity by the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and did not begin in service.

The Board has vacated its October 2018 decision and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ED, and skin cancer. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, increased rating for post-discectomy L5-S1, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues include service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II or herbicide exposure, an increased rating for post-discectomy L5-S1, a compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.