Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cases of respiratory disability, back disability, and bilateral cataracts are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.,The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure for hearing loss or Agent Orange exposure for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records did not document Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right foot, left hand, and right hand are also denied. Service connection is remanded for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant failed to submit a completed VA Form 21-4142, which would have authorized VA to obtain terminal medical records necessary to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for the Veteran's cause of death. The evidence was insufficient to determine whether a service-connected disability was singly or with some other condition the immediate or underlying cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s Disease, postsurgical aortocoronary bypass, type II diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, and skin disorder (chloracne) are all granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded as the evidence does not conclusively establish its relationship with Agent Orange exposure.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy since December 19, 2019 is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal disability as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to May 26, 2016, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which led to his fatal chronic renal failure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective October 19, 2017. The ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet remain denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disability including glaucoma and a right eye injury, a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, anemia, bilateral foot disabilities, and insomnia. The Veteran's hearing loss disability remains at Level I in each ear.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and diabetes mellitus have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since March 18, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for hypertension, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as his preexisting condition was aggravated during active duty training.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's left knee disability, with the opinion being in favor of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential new evidence and further development is needed.,The claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine remains pending. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of the condition.,The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to potential new evidence from the Veteran's hearing and need further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The examiner must also attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their associated functional impairment, which is necessary to evaluate his entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).