Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for diabetes mellitus as there was no new and material evidence presented, despite some recent medical records indicating possible diabetes.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 13, 2009 to November 8, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for migraine headaches, skin disorder of the face, and other conditions were granted. The remaining issues related to back disability, stomach disability, asthma, diabetes, acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and irritable colon syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate condition and acid reflux are not service-connected.,Diabetes is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied in a previous decision. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, as it fails to show herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder (asbestos), skin cancer, ruptured groin, left index finger amputation, double compound fracture of the right lower leg, diabetes mellitus type II, and syncope were denied. The VA found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for otitis externa, right ear and sinusitis. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye is also granted. The Veteran's claim for a right eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia received an initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostatitis due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus II, and anxiety disorder, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since March 22, 2010. The Board has granted the TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's acquired mental disability (other trauma and stress related disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder) is rated at 50 percent. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his acquired mental disability.

The Board has denied service connection for hyperlipidemia and remanded the issues of service connection for an eye disability, to include bilateral glaucoma and ocular hypertension as due to service-connected hypertension, and service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as due to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II are both denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present during service or within one year after discharge.,Diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for a seizure disorder is denied based on the Veteran's denial of having such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches prior to March 22, 2016 remains pending. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right/left knee disabilities are also pending. The Veteran's request for TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War Syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for numbness and pain of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for headaches (claimed as migraine headaches) has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for a right knee scar has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder (including ADHD, bipolar disorder, and MDD), and dental condition. The decision found that obesity is not a compensable disability, diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of service separation, and there was no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous symptoms since service. Service connection for the psychiatric disorders was also denied as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, heart disease, hypertension, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction have been reopened. The evidence now shows a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a ruptured aortic dissection, which the VA finds to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered service connected.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and spinal meningitis. The decision also remanded several issues related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional research and examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran's CLL and type II diabetes mellitus are related to in-service herbicide exposure, specifically during his service aboard the USS Hoel.

The Board has granted the appeals for service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea. The appeal for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and diabetic retinopathy was also granted as secondary to service-connected DM.