Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's weight fluctuation, gastrointestinal disability (other than constipation), erectile dysfunction, urinary frequency, diabetes mellitus, and tooth loss are all denied as they were not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or lumbar spine osteoarthritis.,Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes due to insufficient evidence. The increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is also being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all granted. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterol, increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, increase in disability rating for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension, separate compensable rating for hypertension, and initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral cataracts are all remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and an increased rating for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's claims will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, authorize private medical records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior examinations and additional evidence needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left eye macular edema and bilateral retinopathy is rated at 40 percent effective June 27, 2017. His chronic kidney disease was initially rated at 80 percent from December 20, 2016 to June 26, 2017. Both left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) and multiple myeloma (MM), for accrued benefits purposes, are dismissed. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) by reason of service-connected disabilities, for purposes of accrued benefits, is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right leg condition, PFB, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a rating of 60 percent effective January 27, 2012. The TDIU claim for prior to October 23, 2008, was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, Type II, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, kidney problems, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and major depression and mood disorder have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,There are no presumptive service connection provisions applicable to any of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are still pending.,An effective date earlier than May 21, 2013 has not been established for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease with PCI, allergic rhinitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and granted it on a presumptive basis due to symptoms manifesting prior to April 1992.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disabilities due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the record, including VA clinical records showing treatment for diabetes mellitus and VA examination reports noting diabetic complications. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma and an increased rating for PTSD due to new evidence and development of the case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including headaches and diabetes mellitus, type II, were denied. The claim for headaches was denied as the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,The initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to May 14, 2014, was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, affect his ability to use his feet and lower extremities. The VA is remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess whether he has effectively lost the use of one or both feet due to these conditions.