Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin cancer are all granted as secondary to exposure to certain herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type 2, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicides/pesticides, chemicals, and ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and diabetic neuropathy prevented him from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 12, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type 2, with diabetic neuropathy was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the role of service-connected conditions in causing or contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypothyroidism before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to result in physical or mental impairment that render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, necessitating a remand for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Type I Diabetes Mellitus is related to her exposure to Gulf War hazards, including vaccinations and environmental factors.

The Board has determined that a more current examination is needed to rate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to the passage of time and changes in his condition since the last examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that the Veteran's military service brought him to or proximate to the Korean DMZ during a period when herbicide agents were used and that he was exposed to these agents while serving in Korea.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange, is remanded due to lack of verification of his claimed exposure. The case will be referred to the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for further investigation.

The Veteran's neurological disorder, including complex regional pain syndrome, bilateral sciatica, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the condition had its onset during service and is related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was congestive heart failure. The Board finds that the Appellant’s accrued benefits claim is inextricably intertwined with the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and thus, a remand is required to adjudicate both claims.

The Veteran is granted a separate 60 percent rating for diabetic retinopathy of the left eye with macular degeneration, effective December 5, 2018. The compensable rating for left eye cataract and bilateral pseudophakia remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has also been denied. The effective date for his award of service connection for PTSD is set at November 16, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), is related to his active service. The claims for diabetes mellitus and a sleep disorder remain denied.