Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for the VA to determine if extraschedular consideration of TDIU on an individual unemployability basis is warranted due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a left tibia scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to additional development being needed. Obesity is not a disability subject to service connection, but may be secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent. Additional VA examinations are required to determine if obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and if so, whether DM, ED, gout, or sleep apnea are also caused or aggravated by obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 23, 2014 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his employment history and current physical limitations, he may be unemployable by reason of service-connected disability. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to have caused his obesity, which in turn caused his diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus is secondary to his service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related secondary conditions due to potential herbicide exposure during service at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. The Veteran's assertions are consistent with his service records but DoD and VA have not conceded use of herbicides in Japan.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to incomplete service personnel records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and upper extremities, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis in multiple joints due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during active service.,Service connection is also not granted for these conditions on a direct basis as there is no evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and nephropathy, have affected his ability to move around his home. The Board has ordered a new examination for the severity of his diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, both presumed due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as the VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether it was related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for back disability, left eye disability, hypertension, respiratory disability (due to presumed Camp Lejeune exposure), and diabetes mellitus was granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,Hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran does not have diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.,Diabetes mellitus type II currently rated as 20 percent disabling; no increased rating is warranted based on the current evidence of record.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis post-arthroscopy has been increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.,Cervical spine arthritis has been increased to a 10 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, esophageal ulcers, right hip condition, soft tissue sarcoma, PTSD and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues including marriage validation, accrued benefits determination, and need for a VA compensation examination regarding Southwest Asia exposure. The cause of death claim is also on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves are not rated higher than 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear reasoning in a previous examination regarding whether the Veteran's urinary symptoms are related to service-connected diabetic nephropathy or non-service-connected prostatic hypertrophy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus associated with PTSD and psoriasis to include dermatitis/eczema need further examination and evaluation.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions as they are not eligible due to the appellant's death.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and stroke, as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.