Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for a kidney condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung condition, PTSD, and higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for patchy hypopigmentation is denied as the condition did not begin during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson's Disease were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan, where he served. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II has required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the disability.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as presumptively due to herbicide exposure while serving near the DMZ in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and reopening of a previously denied claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 20 percent prior to December 2013 and granted a higher 40 percent rating as of December 2013. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) also was granted as of December 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied in February 2009, and the Board found that a retroactive effective date is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing the condition existed prior to May 8, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is reopened, but the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to grant the claim. The right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability are also remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and diabetes due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure. The claims are not granted as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or verified stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or DM, type II. The examiner must consider articles that support the idea of a correlation between PTSD and OSA as well as a relationship between OSA and DM type II.

The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was granted on August 15, 2011. The effective date of this grant is October 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left eye condition, lung condition, prostate disability, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development.,Service connection is denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and gout, finding that a new VA examination is needed to assess current severity and service connection determinations require clarification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a skin disability, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain private medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.