Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's current right hip strain was not found to be related to his service, while his PTSD symptoms were considered sufficient for the current 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, have been granted. The diabetes mellitus claim is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, while the stroke claim is linked to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for rating and effective date adjustments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea) are found to be in equipoise with regards to whether they aggravated his erectile dysfunction. The Board grants service connection for erectile dysfunction with SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. However, the Veteran is denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,No effective date has been assigned as the earliest communication was on October 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for nephropathy with CKD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran’s left foot condition has been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to adjudicate the Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim and an additional medical opinion is necessary. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for her diabetes mellitus due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was proper.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's military records show he was stationed at Takhli RTAFB, but more verification is needed regarding his specific duties and proximity to the base perimeter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 22, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as arthritis. The cases of lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus type II, and amputation of the right great toe are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was assigned on March 29, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and did not manifest to a compensable degree. The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer service connection and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to a lack of contemporaneous medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, left ear hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II. The case is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.