Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 13, 2009 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) due to herbicide exposure is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obesity and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event leading to these conditions, nor did the Veteran show continuity of symptoms postservice.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, which may affect his claims for service connection. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the highest schedular rating available for voiding dysfunction.,The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's initial rating for adjustment disorder and increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II are denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted, given his service-connected disabilities other than PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to service-connected hypersomnolence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include hypertension, back disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac disability all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus contributed to his death, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 10, 2013. The Veteran seeks an increased rating.,For the period prior to June 6, 2016, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on need for aid and attendance has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the cause of his death, including whether his esophageal cancer was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus requires management by a restricted diet.,An initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran’s current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's thalamic stroke with speech impediment prior to August 6, 2018 is rated at 10 percent and remains unchanged. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current condition meets the criteria for an increased evaluation.,An initial rating of 20 percent for varicose veins of the right lower extremity is granted. The Veteran's persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation, meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under VA regulations.,An initial rating of 20 percent for varicose veins of the left lower extremity is granted. Similar to the right side, the Veteran’s persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation, meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under VA regulations.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for sciatic nerve trouble of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cerebrovascular accident (CVA) related to cardiac embolic event from March 1, 2019 is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure should be remanded for further development.