Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2011 to November 18, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities. The rating period prior to September 25, 2010 did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's neck disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus was not caused by his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted. The claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for lower left and right extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further development, including an additional VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective prior to September 11, 2019. His diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, and dismissed the TDIU claim due to the full grant of a 100% rating for bipolar disorder. The bilateral hearing loss issue is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee DJD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee DJD, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DCs 5260-5262. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, and he has met the schedular requirements since October 2011. However, there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities have precluded him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as the evidence is unclear regarding whether the Veteran has this condition or its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disorder and tinnitus are granted, but his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and bilateral upper extremities is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns regarding the sufficiency of the medical opinion provided in the July 2018 decision, particularly with respect to hypertension and its relationship to service-connected diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 12, 2012.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his deployment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of left arm shrapnel fragment wound due to lack of evidence linking the injury to service, including ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods.,VA denied reopening a claim for service connection for diabetes based on the absence of new and material evidence. The appellant's assertions about Agent Orange exposure were not supported by the added evidence.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 7, 2017 is remanded due to its interdependence with another pending claim.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM II) due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and diabetes mellitus have been evaluated at 20 percent for the entire period of appeal. The Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.,Service connection for diabetes was remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding herbicide agent exposure.