Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus substantially and materially contributed to his death from a cerebrovascular accident. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death under 38 U.S.C. § 1310, rendering moot the issue of entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis. The claims for service connection for CFS, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), glaucoma as due to DM, and asthma were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, all secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for advanced diabetic retinopathy right with right eye retinal detachment and corneal decompensation with scarring and left eye diabetic retinopathy status post cataract surgery was denied. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on blindness in one eye having only light perception.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his earnings exceeded the poverty threshold and he had multiple service-connected disabilities, but was not unemployable due to his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to potential herbicide exposure near the DMZ in South Korea.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his military service and the development of this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted. The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. An additional remand is ordered for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not physically or mentally preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, including performing sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least in equipoise with the evidence and that his exposure to herbicide agents during service satisfies the presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right renal cyst / diabetic cystopathy, finding that it is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for glaucoma and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of diabetes mellitus, type II; headaches; hypertension; a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD); and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents or toxic chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and right-knee disorder with degenerative joint disease and arthralgia have been denied as the medical evidence does not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's diabetes is related to his active duty service, as evidenced by a hyperglycemia noted during his exit physical. His PTSD is also related to his in-service experience on the USS Josephus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CAD, DM, lung cancer residuals, RLE and LLE neuropathy, and OSA have been granted.,Service connection is also granted for prostate disorder and residuals of skin cancer, but additional evidence is needed to determine their relationship with the Veteran's in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a back condition due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's exposure history is unclear, and further investigation into his alleged in-service herbicide exposure is needed.