Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left eye disabilities resulting from VA medical and surgical treatment from November 2007 to August 2008, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused by or a result of VA care.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with cataracts is rated at a 40 percent disability rating effective November 20, 2014. The Board denied all other claims.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period since December 2, 2015 and up to June 6, 2018. However, the TDIU claim prior to this date was denied as there were no service-connected disabilities that prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, Meniere’s syndrome or endolymphatic hydrops (dizziness and vertigo), tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to his herbicide exposure. His bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also presumed to be secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as new and material evidence was not submitted, despite additional treatment records showing a diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his eye condition claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the nature of his diplopia.

The Board has determined that new evidence, including service department records obtained after the June 2006 rating decision, should be considered in deciding the veteran's accrued benefits claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, end stage renal failure, congestive heart failure, and anoxic encephalopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess whether all service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and low back pain, warrant the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and diabetes mellitus type II are granted service connection, but his hypertension evaluation is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent disability rating, effective December 1, 2016. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The claims for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for liver disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to withdrawal by his representative. Service connection was granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary prior to adjudication due to the Court's August 2018 Order, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts prior to April 26, 2018. A 40 percent rating was granted thereafter. The Veteran also received separate ratings for scars secondary to his eye condition. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was found to have manifested within one year of his separation from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes, thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, right foot neuropathy, left foot neuropathy, and acrophobia were all granted service connection. The effective date for the award of a 100% rating for coronary artery disease is March 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's diabetes has been rated at 20 percent, the lowest possible rating under VA regulations. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 40 or 60 percent disability rating.