Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and has remanded the issue of service connection for Chronic Kidney Disease secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to toxic chemicals while serving on naval vessels. Additional medical examination is required.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,The scars from meningitis are currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating is granted as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has vacated the November 2018 decision, finding that new evidence was not considered. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no credible evidence of actual exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and employment information.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus rating is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and non-VA care consult records.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis and diabetes mellitus type II as they were not incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing regulation of activities.,For his upper extremities, the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy was rated as 10 percent prior to August 16, 2017 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board determined these ratings were appropriate based on mild symptoms affecting only the median nerve.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was not granted as the evidence did not show that he required insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent. Service connection for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and dysphagia were also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18 due to new and material evidence. The Appellant is shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining 18 years of age.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA and private treatment records, and a VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's IHD is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability to include recurring PVCs has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed as there are insufficient current medical records to determine if he currently has a heart disability related to his service. Other claims have also been remanded due to need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from September 27, 2015. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.