Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Guam and thus not meeting the presumptive criteria. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was diagnosed after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and hypertension, and a TDIU claim due to inadequate examinations and missing personnel records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscle weakness as there is no credible evidence of an in-service disease or injury that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and a left eyelid disability (blepharitis) due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional opinions regarding causation and aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents and mustard gas has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with a previous VA medical opinion and the need for further development, including obtaining records of prediabetes history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD, left foot diabetic ulcer, chronic bronchitis, and left foot cellulitis. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.,For the remanded issues, the Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current hip flexor strain and knee synovitis with his service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. His diabetes mellitus, skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), and Raynaud’s phenomenon of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and chronic renal disease, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on insulin use or dietary restrictions alone.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for hypothyroidism has been granted at a 30 percent level, effective February 1, 2012. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 80 percent for chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and the Appellant is not entitled to substitution as the claimant.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims. The Veteran's current conditions are related to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The issue of service connection for glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, and dental condition remains unresolved.

The Board's decision is vacated in part, allowing the Veteran to request a hearing for issues related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his in-service exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if there is a link.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, asbestosis, bronchitis, and lumbosacral strain. However, the claim for service connection of PTSD is reopened due to newly submitted evidence.