Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected. The Board finds insufficient evidence to support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,For the entirety of the appeal period, the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hand injury, right hand injury, arthritis of cervical and lumbar spine, involuntary bowel movement, involuntary urinary discharge, burns to feet, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus. The diabetes mellitus claim was granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to his in-service herbicide exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a depressive disorder secondary to other conditions and multiple physical impairments related to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since at least November 16, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 is remanded due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), urinary disorder (hematuria), and skin disease (eczema) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty service.,Service connection is established on a presumptive basis as the diseases are listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Veteran's skin condition was reopened, but his increased rating for left shoulder disability and service connection claims were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that a VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected residuals of thrombophlebitis of the left leg contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether it was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to their passing, and the appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's gynecomastia and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), were denied service connection as they are not related to his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has decided to remand for a higher rating due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are all being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, Bell's palsy, and residuals of a stroke as the evidence did not show a direct link to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The U.S.S. Davidson is believed to have been in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no current diagnoses of these conditions, and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control. An initial rating of 70 percent since June 11, 2014 for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot condition, right foot condition, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.