Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition, which is related to diabetes mellitus, and for additional benefits for his dependent spouse. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis with left foot drop and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, including verifying exposure to hazardous chemicals and radiation during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since January 17, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings on this issue and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board previously denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, and the Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) to clarify whether the Veteran had additional periods of ACDUTRA in 1997. The JMR found that VA medical opinions did not address direct causation during an unidentified period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1997. The case is now remanded to identify all periods of ACDUTRA in 1997 and obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was directly caused by her 1997 period(s) of ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's disabilities to any injury or disease during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of OSA, as it was not raised in his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Taiwan. The Veteran's duties as a communication security accountant involved regular and repeated maintenance of COMSEC equipment aboard C-123 aircrafts.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and heart disability due to potential new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, cataracts, hypertension, and excessive urination due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disabilities. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral foot disorder, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from July 25, 2017, to March 7, 2018.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection is denied for a respiratory disorder. Service connection is remanded for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and skin cancers (claimed as soft tissue sarcoma).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran seeks service connection on a secondary basis due to his pre-existing service-connected left knee and ankle injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with a previous VA medical opinion regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's diabetes is not considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.