Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and potentially relevant VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, and erectile dysfunction due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The Board has remanded the cases for further investigation regarding exposure to herbicides and service connection for DM and PN.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and verification of exposure. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related disabilities have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection is also established for the amputations of toes as they are secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity and hypercholesterolemia due to the lack of a recognized disability. The remaining issues have been remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the denial of service connection.

The Veteran's application for service connection for DM-II was received in January 2010, and an effective date prior to January 2009 is not warranted.,Since May 2016, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was denied as the claim is not warranted under VA regulations.

The Veteran's OSA appeal is granted. Service connection for a low sperm count and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral arterial disease, loss of left leg below the knee, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU prior to January 21, 2017.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is evaluated as mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent from January 22, 2019. The PTSD prior to November 7, 2012, and from November 7, 2012, are both rated at 50 percent and 70 percent respectively. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and insufficient information regarding Agent Orange exposure. A VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was caused by his diabetes mellitus type II, which may be presumptively related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition as they are related to exposure to herbicides, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the denial of service connection for gout, ear condition (constant pressure), hypertension, diabetes, headaches, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, and right ear hearing loss. The decision also denied the portion of the motion that requested vacatur of the remanded claims of tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to active service or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes prevent him from obtaining and securing substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for asbestosis due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims for diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine DDD are remanded.