Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thumb condition and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board finds that the medical opinions obtained were not in compliance with its previous directives.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy, right and left lower extremity neuropathies, and hypertension have been rated. The initial rating for diabetic retinopathy has been granted from May 24, 2013 to August 25, 2015 at a 10% level, increased to 30% from August 26, 2015 to January 23, 2019, and to 100% thereafter. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathies have been granted at 40% since April 28, 2011. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment documents from Dr. SMH.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, vision loss, hypertension, kidney/renal disorder, heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). However, these claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other development that may be needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic proliferative retinopathy is granted, but his claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and compensable rating for diabetic proliferative retinopathy prior to May 13, 2018 are both remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The diabetes mellitus type II and melanoma claims are now reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Service connection is established for these conditions based on herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been reopened. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and an evaluation of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, abdomen scar, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these awards are December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his military service.,The Board is requesting additional information from the Veteran regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or defoliants. They are also seeking medical records from non-VA providers where he was treated for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The rating assigned has not yet been determined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and stroke, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 40% rating, effective September 9, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 30% rating, effective September 9, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and hemochromatosis as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim for diabetes was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and leukemia on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's duties placed him near the base perimeter where he was exposed to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the Veteran does not have a current disability and there is no evidence of such at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange or any qualifying herbicide agents during his service in Korea. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes and his period of military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied, and his increased disability rating for urethritis prior to April 15, 2015, was also denied. However, he was granted a 10 percent disability rating for urethritis starting from April 15, 2015.