Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran was precluded from substantially gainful employment by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the condition did not manifest within one year after discharge from service.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen his service connection claim and increase ratings for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to service-connected coronary artery disease, and the claim for DIC benefits is granted. The claim for DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to a possible worsening of her condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, and TDIU is granted.,Asthma has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, secondary to herbicide exposure has been granted.,Service connection is established on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for entitlement, as he was not rated by VA as being totally disabled due to service-connected disability for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal is also remanded for further action on issues related to the cause of the Veteran's death and burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, cardiac disorder, and headaches with dizziness due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.,The Board has also remanded the claim for TDIU as it is inextricably intertwined with the other service connection claims.,,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide VA with information about any private providers who have treated him since service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his obesity or hypertension to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted. Service connection for thyroid, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic renal disease, erectile dysfunction, vertigo, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to its inextricability with the newly assigned service-connected conditions and hearing loss rating. The Veteran's other claims for service connection will be addressed separately.

A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD prior to April 12, 2019. A 50 percent rating is assigned for the period after April 12, 2019.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for a heart disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus and left foot skin disability due to additional development being required.