Diabetes decisions — 2019

The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim. The claims for hemorrhoids, left hand arthritis, right leg neuropathy, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and a left knee disability have also been denied on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as the Veteran did not undergo a VA examination to determine its likely etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, high cholesterol, and degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy have resulted in a TDIU from September 6, 2008 onwards. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate since December 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, depression, and an initial compensable rating for hepatitis B due to a lack of examination. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claim for DIC and service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant is also asked to provide information about the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure in Panama.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, digestive disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and skin cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or radiation exposure that could support a claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for high cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and Type II diabetes mellitus have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for high cholesterol as it is a laboratory finding. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. His hypertension did not manifest with diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control. And his diabetes mellitus was not managed through regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including bipolar disorder and depression (other than PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip disabilities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claims are being returned for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease due to exposure to volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE) in service, including possible exposure to herbicides while serving aboard Navy vessels operating on Subic Bay in the Philippines.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for high cholesterol is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disease or disability under VA law.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is denied as there are no current symptoms that meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2014 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus because the appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was reduced from 100% to 20%, effective March 1, 2015. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the original 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, heart disability, renal failure, hypoxic respiratory disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals in service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and bilateral cataracts is currently rated at 20 percent, but he seeks a higher rating. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year, has been granted a 60 percent disability rating for the entire initial rating period on appeal from July 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection issues were decided.