Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and kidney condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and gout are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. An initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to January 8, 2009, and a grant of an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD are both granted.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective September 12, 2019.,Service connection for diabetic nephropathy was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on loss of use of both hands was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for high blood pressure, excessive sweating (night sweats), sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, and lower back disability. These claims are now addressed on their merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and Parkinson’s disease due to lack of verification regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran served in Vietnam but did not have direct evidence of such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not made a final determination on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, and he was granted entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease are granted. Additionally, the Veteran is awarded a TDIU rating and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was managed by oral medication and a restricted diet throughout the appeal period, which satisfies the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not show regulation of activities as part of his treatment regimen, thus denying an increased rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disability, urinary disability, testicular disability, respiratory disability, right shoulder disability, right and left heel disabilities, post-operative hernia residuals, sleep disability (insomnia), E. coli infection residuals, and a disability manifested by obesity. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, vision disorder, diabetes mellitus, and stroke residuals. Additional development is needed to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and addressing certain evidence.