Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions were the proximate cause or aggravated his death. The claims for increase are also referred.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disorder, including BPH and prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral vascular disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and denied service connection for type 2 diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The acquired psychiatric disability is linked to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The issue of service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremities due to new evidence received since the 2013 rating decision. However, the claims are still remanded as there is conflicting medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's upper extremity neuropathy is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was found to be less likely caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, while the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus did not require medication or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's kidney disease was granted an increased rating to 80 percent effective March 7, 2014. His diabetes and peripheral neuropathy were rated appropriately, but his diabetic retinopathy with macular edema did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is denied. A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and OSA due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Kadena Air Base while stationed there, and schedule a VA examination to assess whether his OSA is related to active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of service connection for asbestosis, prostate cancer, inguinal hernia, urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 15, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, residuals of a hysterectomy, and DM have been granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD related to her active service, and the Board finds that she also has residuals of a hysterectomy and DM as a result of her service-connected back and knee injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus and associated residuals since June 29, 2007. The Veteran is not eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to having other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been dismissed as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Hypertension and diabetes mellitus have final denial decisions, and new and material evidence was not received within one year of the November 2008 rating decision. The appeals are therefore dismissed.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims have been dismissed as there is no current diagnosis for any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need to consider his service-connected disabilities in light of his nonservice-connected lymphedema. The AOJ will also obtain an opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities alone would affect his ability to use his lower extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to the need for additional records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and a heart condition. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa. The Board requests further investigation and a review of the Department of Defense’s inventory of herbicide operations.