Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity atherosclerosis of the distal vessels is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating for lumbar spinal stenosis adequately reflects his condition, and the current 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is also appropriate. Bilateral hearing loss and sciatica neuritis are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination or treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bunions, psychiatric disorders, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes (claimed as blurry vision), erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and C-6 radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a diagnosis of these conditions within one year after discharge. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by credible evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have started during his active service or be related to any in-service injury or disease. His hypertension also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral glaucoma with diabetic cataracts due to new evidence of worsening vision and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea were denied as they did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for the left knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service. The initial rating for the left knee disability was also denied due to lack of compensable symptomatology under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, Type II and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on account of herbicide exposure has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from April 29, 2010. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The kidney disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a 20 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (to include as due to herbicide exposure) and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (to include as due to asbestos and herbicide exposure) are stayed. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, an effective date prior to June 7, 2016 for urinary disability, and ratings in excess of certain disabilities were all denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis. The Veteran was exposed to noise in Vietnam during his military service but did not have a valid audiogram at separation from service. He has provided lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms since service. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of healed injury right wrist is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or more than limitation of motion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied because there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support their onset during service.