Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which is not service-connected. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between diabetes mellitus and renal cell cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted based on service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, Type II with diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and erectile dysfunction; and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's partial amputations of the feet are also being evaluated.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim for the period prior to October 11, 2013, and the depression and diabetic retinopathy claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a speech disorder is denied. His lung disability has been granted an initial rating of 30%, effective November 29, 2007. The Veteran's laryngeal papillomatosis and diabetes mellitus type II have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board dismissed all issues related to increased ratings and special monthly compensation due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for tingling and stinging sensations in extremities has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, secondary peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, prostate cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. However, due to a lack of evidence linking erectile dysfunction to these conditions, the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back injury, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, diabetes, and kidney disease as secondary to a back injury and bilateral ankle condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

An effective date of October 7, 2014, is granted for the grant of service connection for mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.,Effective dates earlier than July 16, 2013, are denied for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C. The diabetes mellitus type II and acquired psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to Agent Orange while on the U.S.S. Tolovana.,The Veteran's tumor, left side of head, is remanded as there is a dispute over whether he was exposed to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's hearing loss, left ear, and burn scar right hand and wrist are also remanded due to the need for further evidence and clarification.,Service connection for these conditions will be remanded until more information about exposure to Agent Orange is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and verification of all periods of service, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa, Japan. The claims will be reviewed again after additional development is completed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The reduction of the evaluation of chronic bronchitis from 10 percent to 0 percent effective May 1, 2016 was proper. Other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence being added to the record.