Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD, DM, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been withdrawn.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including his statements at the April 2019 hearing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions and seeks a compensable rating for a right buttock hematoma, as well as the appeals seeking increased ratings for knee disabilities. The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals in these matters.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, a low back condition, and diabetes mellitus due to missing VA treatment records from October 1999.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran was stationed in Taiwan but did not have records indicating he flew missions into Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and associated neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan. Further development is needed to assess her exposure and determine if service connection can be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions, including anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, lumbar spine condition, diabetes, duodenal malformation, esophageal condition, hypertension, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), retinopathy of the right eye, and thrombocytopenia are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant evidence not previously submitted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from the Houston VA medical center.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from November 30, 2012 to September 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related complications such as neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and depression, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 17, 2012. The effective date for this TDIU is set at June 17, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is remanded due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, COPD, sleep apnea, a left leg disability, and a cervical spine disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been remanded, with some issues requiring further review and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, eye disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and left ankle disability due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity as these conditions are not considered diseases or injuries subject to service connection. The Veteran's claims were denied on a direct basis.