Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 50 percent or 70 percent disability rating prior to and after July 9, 2019, respectively.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as he met the schedular requirements and demonstrated that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease with ischemia was granted an initial rating of 60 percent. The other issues were either denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim was denied previously on other grounds.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, resulting in weight gain. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a failure to ensure that the duty to assist was satisfied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for Type II diabetes mellitus and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and kidney cancer due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis, is not related to service. The Board found that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was not caused by his in-service abdominal injury and that diabetes mellitus, type 2, which may have contributed to his pancreatic cancer, was not a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD was increased to 60 percent in August 2011, but then reduced back down to 10 percent in July 2016. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the original 60 percent rating. Additionally, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating more than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a lumbar spine disability, and a higher rating for acne vulgaris due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that the RO failed to provide proper VCAA notice and did not obtain all relevant medical records, so the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, a right shoulder disorder, a chronic kidney disorder, and a back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disorder, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder with major depression prior to April 11, 2016, sleep apnea, GERD, right wrist sprain with avascular necrosis, status post removal of necrotic bone, psoriasis, diabetes, right ankle sprain, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, chest disorder, residuals of head injury including scar, and vocal chords disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as these new and material evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.