Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type two diabetes mellitus, and associated peripheral neuropathies have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric condition has been denied.

The reduction of the rating for diabetes mellitus from 40 to 20 percent was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including abnormal gait, left and right knee disabilities, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroenteritis, gallbladder removal, chronic constipation, bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, diabetes mellitus, and restless leg syndrome of the bilateral legs. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to inservice herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all five issues, including respiratory disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, skin rash disorder, and diabetes mellitus are reopened. The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to gastrointestinal, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. These records are relevant to his claims and must be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of PTSD, right leg radiculopathy, left leg radiculopathy, and diabetes. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus type II, and sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted in part.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning June 22, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent prior to July 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is now rated as noncompensable from July 1, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a compensable staged initial rating for bilateral hearing loss from July 1, 2017 is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II, related to herbicide exposure in Thailand, has been reopened and granted. The claim for hepatitis B remains pending as new evidence supports reopening but the service connection is remanded.,The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II was not present during his active duty service or within one year post-service, nor can it be linked to any other condition. However, he has provided credible testimony and supporting documentation indicating exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records, as well as further development of the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes, Neuropathy, and Dysmetabolic Syndrome is granted.,Service Connection for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, high cholesterol, hypertension, GERD, diabetes mellitus type II, rhinitis (claimed as allergies), and obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date of service connection remains March 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities. Diabetes mellitus is also being remanded.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion is based on an inaccurate factual premise and remanded for a new examination and opinion. The claims are related to aggravation of diabetes mellitus and heart condition under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.