Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation between August 9, 2007 and October 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and for TDIU due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is requested to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current severity of diabetes mellitus, including any associated complications such as numbness in left arm and eye condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being submitted, but did not specify a decision on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development.,There is no current diagnosis of gastroenteritis or diabetes in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's unit had two detachments in Vietnam, one of which was at Nha Trang. Additional development is needed to verify if the Veteran served there during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back disability, have rendered him unemployable as of September 5, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, and abdominal aortic aneurism have been granted. Claims for colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema are remanded.

The Board vacated the October 2019 decision that denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and OSA and remanded a claim for a bladder condition. The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new evidence submitted after November 2006. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is denied as there is no evidence it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to unresolved issues and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, right upper extremity pain, left upper extremity pain, left lower extremity pain, and right lower extremity pain due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and any other service-connected disabilities and his reported erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus due to inadequate examination and possible additional complications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for chronic renal disease and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for chronic renal disease, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent. For TDIU, the Board determined that the Veteran does not meet the requirements to be considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as the evidence does not establish a link between his current condition and active service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or near its borders, nor was he exposed to herbicides during his time at Nakhon Phanom Air Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a relationship to service.,Right ear hearing loss was not found to be present, thus denying the Veteran's claim for this condition.,Service connection for a back disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to in-service events.,The Veteran's DMII was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to any service-connected conditions.,The right leg disability, diagnosed as venous statis and varicose veins, was not found to be related to an in-service hernia operation.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is granted. Service connection for residuals of cold injury in the lower extremities (left or right) and a right foot disorder other than diabetic peripheral neuropathy are denied.