Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims, particularly concerning his acquired psychiatric disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew these appeals prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for 'effective date of award' challenges and noninitial increased rating claims for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable factors.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent for shell fragment wound of the left deltoid, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from January 21, 2014 onwards. The Veteran also has his initial compensable rating for left deltoid residual scar associated with shell fragment wound denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not rated higher than 10 percent since January 21, 2014. His arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease from March 26, 2013 to February 14, 2017 was rated at 60 percent and from February 15, 2017 onwards at 100 percent.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The VA examiner will need to provide a functional assessment of his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

Service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, cardiovascular (CV) disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange. The claim for bilateral eye disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any other condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's inflammatory bowel disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran had regular and repeated contact with C-123 aircraft known to have been used to spray an herbicide agent during the Vietnam era.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, finding that his disability was managed with insulin and a restricted diet but not requiring regulation of activities. The decision also noted that episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions did not require hospitalization.

The Board has denied service connection for a prostate condition and diabetes mellitus, Type 2 due to exposure to herbicides. The prostate condition was not shown in-service or within one year following discharge from service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service. Service connection for DM is remanded as the Veteran served near the Korean DMZ during his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and sleep disturbance. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia (SWA) during his active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II, including as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded due to lack of research on his specific duties and potential exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered without new and material evidence, as relevant military records have been added since the last final decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), as due to exposure to herbicides because no new and material evidence was submitted.