Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, right inguinal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were not established based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy to include hypertension, and for adjudication of the TDIU claim including consideration of SMC.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2007, which is the period under consideration for this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and cardiac and kidney disorders. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, hypertension, and TDIU have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection of left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to diabetes mellitus) is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure at Nam Phong Royal Thai Air Force Base. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, right shoulder and ankle disabilities, and headaches should be remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board's decision is vacated because the Veteran was not given the opportunity to opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system, which would have allowed him to receive benefits based on his claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, Tietze syndrome (claimed as difficulty breathing and chest pain), DMII, hypertension, and polyuria have been dismissed.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable evaluation for his Tietze syndrome disability has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for recurrent hepatitis disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran needs to provide updated medical records and further examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 5, 2017 and from March 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including high cholesterol, gout, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disability, a heart disability, urinary incontinence, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), headaches, a prostate disability, a thyroid disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and addressing rating reductions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to his withdrawal of these issues. The skin disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current chronic skin condition, while the tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining more detailed medical records and clarifying service dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and progressive supranuclear palsy were denied in a June 2011 rating decision. The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran, who died in February 2012. The Board granted recognition as the substitute claimant for these conditions.