Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, including CAD, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agent exposure. The back condition claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service. The issues include splenomegaly, respiratory condition (including COPD and sarcoidosis), heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and small bladder blockage.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not create an inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period of June 22, 2016 through June 26, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of DMII and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as well as further development of his records. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore cannot establish service connection.,The Veteran's tinnitus was diagnosed many years after separation from service, and the VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to hazardous materials, including toxic chemicals, herbicide agents, asbestos, PCB, and other toxins. The VA will attempt to verify these exposures and schedule appropriate examinations if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts has been denied as there is no diagnosed eye disability.,Service connection and a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus prior to January 6, 2016 have been denied. The Veteran's diabetes was managed by restricted diet only.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a service-connected disability. The criteria for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were not met.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2016 remand directives regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for hemochromatosis and liver damage, hypogonadism and gland damage, and diabetes mellitus type I, all for accrued benefits purposes. Another remand is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left eye cataract. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II and secondary service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities due to diabetes mellitus type II is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed diabetes mellitus disability, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during active service and insufficient causal relationship to his in-service activities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for cause of death due to pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus, as it requires further consideration regarding whether the Veteran's fatal condition was caused by exposure to radiation in service.

The Board has received additional medical evidence since the August 2017 SOC, which includes VA treatment records related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and colon disorder. The Veteran was advised to waive AOJ review of this evidence within 45 days or face remand. No response has been received yet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatic cancer is remanded and requires further examination to determine the etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability prior to January 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 17, 2010. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of herbicide agent exposure or a link between his conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for thyroid condition, DM, congestive heart failure, and HTN are denied due to lack of in-service exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist condition (gout), polycystic kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.