Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The claims for breathing difficulty and left lung condition were granted.,Service connection is established for breathing difficulty associated with chemical pneumonia, and the left lung condition (nodule and scarring) is also linked to service-connected chemical pneumonia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and short-term memory loss. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes and remanded the issue of service connection for a lung disorder due to exposure to asbestos aboard USS Nereus.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with complications such as cataracts, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The effective date was fixed at July 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation since January 10, 2013. The Veteran does not have an exceptional case where the available schedular evaluations are inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as his unemployment is not due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, including whether he has loss of use of any extremities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his current symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The issue of service connection for a joint disorder as the result of dengue fever is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for kidney stones or diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for DMII was denied, as the condition did not require regulation of activities. The peripheral neuropathy in the LLE was rated at 0 percent before March 18, 2016, but a higher rating is available. The RLE's diabetic peripheral neuropathy was rated at 30 percent since March 18, 2016, and CAD resulted in a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the AOJ failed to verify his claimed service in the Republic of Vietnam and the VA examiner who provided the January 2018 medical opinion was not qualified to render an opinion on the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease due to a lack of evidence establishing a link between his current conditions and military service. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to provide information about chemicals he was exposed to during service, as well as medical records from private providers. A VA examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower right and left extremities is granted at a 20% rating, effective September 27, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment and personnel records, including a lack of complete VA treatment records. The Board will obtain the Veteran’s complete records and schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now pending for further review.