Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also granted, with the condition being secondary to obesity caused by his right foot disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The appellant's type 2 diabetes mellitus is now service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically bronchitis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of chronic respiratory disability or diabetes mellitus during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was reopened but denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy were all denied as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis related to active service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of its onset during or shortly after service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no increase in disability during service.,Service connection for pressure in eyes was denied as the condition did not exist at the time of entrance into service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a vision disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral median neuropathy, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, cervical spine disability, memory loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type I was granted at a 20% level prior to April 1, 2016. From April 1, 2016 through September 28, 2016, the Veteran received an increased rating of 60%. The Board determined that this increase in rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing episodes of hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization and complications such as renal and ophthalmic issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability, diabetic neuropathy, diabetes, stroke residuals, tinnitus, and bilateral foot neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since January 23, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was a contributory cause of his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused or aggravated by his prescribed prednisone use for his associated lung condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual predicate in a previous examination, requiring further development and consideration of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's GERD is associated with right knee tri-compartmental degenerative changes and patellar spur, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD. Service connection for an endocrine condition (including diabetes mellitus) is remanded due to conflicting opinions on its cause.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, vision disability (likely glaucoma), and hypertension. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted for TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of August 22, 2018 due to his service-connected coronary artery disease. Prior to this date, the TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to chemicals and stressors during service. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased rating and earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II due to missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was reopened and granted due to new evidence showing potential herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran had been exposed to herbicides while stationed at Camp Friendship in Korat, Thailand, which is considered a presumptive area of exposure.