Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeals for right shoulder, elbow, gallbladder removal, kidney stones, and appendix disorders. The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied, and his claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were remanded.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met as he did not meet the continuous total disability rating requirement.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral leg edema, headache disorder, stomach disorder, skin disorder, swelling of the right foot, and swelling of the left foot are all denied.,These issues have been remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for DM and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals at a Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the bilateral eyes, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issues regarding mild visual field contraction and cataracts have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his heart condition and PTSD, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining meaningful gainful employment. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and strokes as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus (DM), type II, and angina pectoris, claimed as ischemic heart disease (IHD) are both pending. The claim for DM is denied, while the claim for IHD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions and to obtain outstanding treatment records related to his diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded to determine if there was exposure to environmental contaminants while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, from April to June 1976.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated. Specifically, VA must obtain medical records from Astoria Health and Rehab Center, Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. P. Hotvedt, Bond Clinic, and Winter Haven Hospital. Additionally, the Appellant should be asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of her husband's conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded. The rating for non-displaced fracture of the right eye (Coat's disease) is also remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is granted prior to May 10, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the claims regarding termination of benefits and diabetes mellitus. The remaining claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded for further development.