Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and denied an increased rating. The claims for service connection of the left breast cancer, hyperparathyroidism, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) are remanded due to lack of a VA examination addressing these conditions' etiology.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathies are secondary to her DM and also require further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin disability, including melanoma due to in-service herbicide exposure. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation.,Increased ratings for specific conditions related to diabetes and peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for poor vision, left upper and lower extremity neuropathies, and diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The issues of initial disability ratings were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but the issues of hypertension and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), or aggravated by CAD.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to asbestos exposure is dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right leg injury, high blood pressure as a result of asbestos exposure, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam and that this exposure is presumed to be related to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death by making him more susceptible to developing endocarditis, which was the principal cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and heart disease, as these conditions are alleged to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus is due to herbicide agent exposure, while the hypertension claim has been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a condition manifested in shortness of breath, fatigue, and snoring is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of COPD and OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, leg scars, and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and his claim for a TDIU were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes required only restricted diet and oral medication during the period on appeal, and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule. For the TDIU claim, the Board noted that the Veteran had one service-connected disability (diabetes) rated at 20 percent, which was below the threshold of 60 percent required for a TDIU based on schedular criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only requires oral hypoglycemics and a restricted diet.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tuberculosis, problems with fingers on both hands, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, sickle cell anemia trait, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeals were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with onychomycosis of the bilateral big toenails and erectile dysfunction is remanded. The Board also notes that an earlier effective date prior to August 13, 2012, is not warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The remaining claims for hearing loss, anemia, bleeding ulcer, heart condition, PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's peripheral neuritis and diabetes mellitus, including evaluations for different conditions and time periods. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide an opportunity for a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.