Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis, chronic meniscal tear instability. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis, chronic meniscal tear limitation of flexion was not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20% effective April 8, 2004. Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Board granted an effective date of September 19, 2011 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 22, 2006. The Board has determined that the case must be remanded so that it can be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating from July 18, 2004 to May 22, 2006.

The Veteran's prostatitis rating was improperly reduced, and the right wrist disability is not rated higher. The diabetes mellitus rating remains unchanged, but a TDIU is granted as of June 26, 2012. All other issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was received on December 4, 2012. The effective date of the grant is therefore set to this date.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. However, these claims are remanded to obtain verification of the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam and to provide an examination to determine if his conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran met all three elements of the PTSD service connection criteria.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims. The Board found insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or any other event, injury, or disease related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted. The right knee disorder claim is based on direct evidence, while the diabetes mellitus claim is based on post-service treatment records showing it was manifested to a degree of 10% or more.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim regarding the reduction from a 20 percent to a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II. The missing treatment records need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 2015 to present need to be obtained, and he should be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate his peripheral artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied service connection for a mental disorder, diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no competent and credible evidence indicating that any of these conditions may be associated with service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Brister, which is not included on the VA's list of ships with known exposure. The Board will request deck logs and other relevant records from the USS Brister to determine if it was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the Veteran's deployment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.