Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for service-connected prostate cancer treatment residuals, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy associated with DM, HTN and ED, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic dermopathy, left lower extremity PN, right lower extremity PN, scars, status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prostatectomy and bilateral AKAs, and erectile dysfunction have been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected scars has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy, voiding dysfunction, or stasis dermatitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, right and left hip disabilities, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disability. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as related to service-connected PTSD. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as caused by service-connected PTSD. Other conditions remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle condition, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disorders, heart condition, jaw condition, and several neurological conditions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) was granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 25, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which was not related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating from July 22, 2014. The VA has determined that the Veteran's CAD and DM do not warrant ratings higher than 60% and 20%, respectively, but have granted earlier effective dates for these ratings.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded.,Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to lack of current disability and no in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of the condition and the medical evidence did not support a link between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes was denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes was also denied as the evidence did not show he required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's end stage kidney disease is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 remains at 10 percent, with no further increase.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the service connection for various disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, left leg disability (with rod emplacement), tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed condition can be attributed to service. The decision was based on a lay opinion linking the disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,An increased rating for PFB residuals (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is remanded, as new examination findings may be necessary given changes in VA rating criteria.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his right leg above-the-knee amputation due to peripheral vascular disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 30 percent rating from October 25, 2018 onwards, but the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on a schedular basis for tinnitus has been denied. The Board also remanded the claims regarding service connection for disability of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and diabetes mellitus, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran's alleged exposure is at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand and U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand, as well as CCK Air Base in Taiwan.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for Graves’ disease or thyroid disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0% since August 26, 2014. The claim for a higher rating is remanded as there is no new evidence of worsening since the last examination.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains December 5, 2013 due to lack of earlier entitlement.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and tinnitus is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine if it began in service or is related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine the nature of his condition.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on the relationship between the conditions.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes is also remanded for similar reasons.