Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and for increased ratings for residuals of left and right lower extremity frostbite. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have started in or within one year after his military service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current diabetes to his service. For the frostbite claims, the Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for visual complications, finding that there was no additional disability caused by VA treatment and that any eye disabilities were a result of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, along with other service-connected conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. A rating of 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals is granted, effective from August 15, 2016, and TDIU is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities on a secondary basis to DMII. Service connection is denied for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent, but a higher 70 percent rating is granted.,The Veteran’s diabetic retinopathy was rated at 10 percent, and the maximum 70 percent rating for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for embolism and thrombosis is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted a 40 percent rating as of August 22, 2017. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to November 27, 2013 was denied because he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent before that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to conflicting evidence on whether he was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Hancock.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no probative medical evidence indicating the Veteran has a current disability. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability, which requires one or more daily insulin injections and restricted diet, resulted in a 40% rating since July 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient evidence in the record regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure during his service in Korea. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining unit history and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that the current diagnosis of diabetes was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected onychomycosis and recurrent tinea pedis.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is causally related to his current diagnosis. The other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted service connection. The cause of death is also granted due to the lung cancer.,Residuals of right thumb arthritis are assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 1, 2005 to November 30, 2011. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 1, 2005.,The case is again before the Board for appellate consideration after being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Disease are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure. Sickle Cell Trait is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain all of the Veteran's VA Medical Center (VAMC) treatment records, particularly those from San Francisco VAMC. The Court also requested an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s diabetes contributed to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and heart disorder are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to toxic herbicides. However, hypertension is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to new evidence indicating potential exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's statements regarding his stressors need to be verified, and a statement of the case should be issued on these issues.