Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, and hearing loss) render him unemployable, leading to a grant of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, concluding that it is more likely than not that he did not have diabetes during his active duty service and that his currently-diagnosed diabetes is less likely due to or aggravated by his active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) in September 2013. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim since then.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. Service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.,The Veteran’s skin condition (tinea cruris) remains at issue and requires further examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal and gastric ulcers, chronic B-12 deficiency with liver enzyme disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, schizoaffective mood disorder, bipolar type, and pain disorder due to psychological and general medical conditions), a skin disorder (recurring back cysts), fibromyalgia, hyperlipidemia, a neurological disorder (to include waist-down paralysis, seizures, blackouts, neuropathy, and Morton’s neuroma), arthritis, hypertension, a thyroglossal duct cyst, and T10-11 spinal osteophyte and degenerative disc disease with muscle pain spasm and lower back-leg weakness (thoracolumbar spine disorder).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus has required only an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, without the need for insulin or regulation of activities. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to resubmit his disability benefits questionnaire.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and TDIU due to lack of recent medical records. A clarifying medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran’s diabetes requires regulation of activities.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus from June 17, 2010. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as direct service connection and the issue of separate ratings for diabetic complications (eye conditions and hypertension) was not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.,Service connection was also denied for headaches as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. Service connection for type two diabetes mellitus, heart condition, prostate cancer, and right knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), hypertension, and a left leg disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to bilateral tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection for Type 2 diabetes is granted. The cases of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current severity of PTSD and TDIU. The effective date for TDIU remains July 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion from a cardiologist regarding the cause of death, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that the Claimant suffered a heart attack or cardiac arrest during drill training in Greenwood, South Carolina while serving in the National Guard.