Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to outstanding Vet Center records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was currently rated at 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain additional evidence, including SPRs and any other relevant records, to determine if the Veteran’s unit participated in missions to Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for left hip strain with superimposed arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection and increased rating claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral visual disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection was granted for thyroid cancer, necrotizing pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke.,None of the Veteran's conditions were found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for macular degeneration as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and/or hypertension, and for special monthly compensation based on the regular need for aid and attendance of another or housebound status due to decreased visual acuity.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating from March 8, 2016 to September 25, 2017. From June 27, 2017, the Veteran's DM was granted a 40% rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time at the Korat and U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force bases.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye diabetic retinopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's photophobia of the left and right eyes is not service-connected, as his visual impairment is attributed to nonservice-connected conditions. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for chronic kidney disease with anemia and hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and uterine fibroids leading to total hysterectomy with menorrhagia. The case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals contributed to his sepsis and diabetes mellitus, which are claimed conditions. The issues on appeal include determining if these conditions materially contributed to the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability were remanded. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 1, 2017—the date of his claim.,The Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability should be remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain outstanding records and address the absence of evidence in the Veteran’s STRs.,The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for restless leg syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran’s PTSD.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for cataracts status post lens implants and dry eye syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac dysrhythmia, was found to be related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran had a combined rating of 70% at the time of his death and was in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Service connection for cause of death is granted, but DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied due to lack of continuous total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus. Additional development is needed, including obtaining records and providing another examination if necessary.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and back disability, stomach disorder, right knee disorder, liver disorder, skin lesions (other than the already service-connected right ear cyst), hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or until many years after separation.