Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each granted a 20 percent rating. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was raised by record.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity gout have been reopened, but the right ankle disability claim remains denied.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral lower extremity gout and right ankle disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that diabetes mellitus, Type II did not contribute to his cardiorespiratory arrest and pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service, particularly at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base. The AOJ is instructed to verify these alleged exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his herbicide exposure, contributed to his cause of death. The VA must obtain a medical opinion to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial separate compensable rating for bilateral cataracts with retinopathy prior to September 6, 2017 and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral cataracts with retinopathy from September 6, 2017 due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional pertinent medical records and lay statements being associated with his case after previous Statements of the Case (SOCs). The Veteran was requested to provide a waiver for AOJ review, but instead requested that his case be sent back to the AOJ. The Board will issue an SSOC considering all evidence obtained since the last SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion regarding possible heart disorder diagnoses and assessing whether any diagnosed disorder is related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The case is being returned to the Board for further review after a Joint Motion granted in October 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral open angle glaucoma and cataracts was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and that there were no documented incapacitating episodes warranting increased ratings for his eye conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection was denied because there is no medical evidence linking any current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for mild renal insufficiency prior to May 16, 2019 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2, with erectile dysfunction as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for diabetic retinopathy, finding that the Veteran's visual impairment is not causally related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for diabetic nonproliferative retinopathy and TDIU due to ongoing eye examinations and treatment records being needed. The issues are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for SMC, service connection for a skin condition, and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an examination. The new claims of service connection and increased ratings will be adjudicated after these issues.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to April 25, 2012 must be decided by the evidence of record. The Board finds that a TDIU is granted effective April 25, 2012, but remands the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and gastric disability are denied. A rating of 70% is granted for PTSD from December 9, 2008 to April 18, 2011, but the appeal for a higher rating since then remains pending.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or any other basis.