Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his PTSD, as well as a TDIU claim. The initial rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, and residuals of stroke. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for eye disability, hypertension (HTN), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to herbicide exposure. The RO must issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The disability requires insulin use and a restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts are rated at 70 percent prior to May 23, 2018. The additional conditions of diabetic retinopathy and optic atrophy have been considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no further action will be taken on these claims.

The Veteran's claims for kidney stone, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, primary open angle glaucoma and cataract of the right eye (claimed as bilateral blindness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions during or shortly after service.,The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's testimony of potential continuity of symptoms shortly after discharge from service. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and bases for determining that the Veteran was not competent to report what materials he transported and whether they were toxic. The Court found this insufficient, noting that the duty to assist with regard to examinations does not require 'competent' evidence of a nexus, but simply an indication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his diabetes does not prevent him from engaging in sedentary work and he has the education and experience for such employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development being required. The right knee condition, diabetes mellitus (type 2) as a result of exposure to herbicide, and erectile dysfunction are all in contention.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the December 2007 rating decision denying DIC benefits was based on CUE, and thus service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted from March 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD with emphysema and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's poor dentition, caused by his service-connected maxillary fibroma, contributed to or aggravated his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disease, claimed as coronary artery disease, have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.,Service connection is established for both conditions based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.