Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims file is incomplete, specifically missing documents related to his March 2012 claim for benefits and July 2013 Waiver of Review. The VA must attempt to obtain these documents or provide a formal finding memorandum of unavailability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, finding that the Veteran's lay statements and service records support his claim of exposure.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities has been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection was denied for heart disease and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted but with an effective date based on a request to reopen, rather than the original claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted. Service connection has also been established for left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, kidney disorder, and right great toe amputation as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, hepatitis C, skin cancer, neuropathy, residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back, buttocks, and legs, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a lumbar spine disability. The appeal is currently remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar was rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to pain but not instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus Type II, left eye retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is required including submission to the JSRRC and obtaining a medical opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 29, 2010 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient reasoning and lack of adequate medical opinions. The issues include sleep apnea, diabetes, and a right knee condition all secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU, and the claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was withdrawn by his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his income from self-employment as a farmer exceeded the poverty level and he was not unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of this exposure and provide a formal finding if further details are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy with cataracts is rated at 10 percent prior to June 12, 2015 and from June 12, 2015 to September 9, 2020. The rating period from September 10, 2020 is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. He is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal claim or application before July 26, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board needs additional medical evidence to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, both related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes due to herbicide exposure are granted. The claim for peripheral polyneuropathy is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DMII and an increased rating for MDD due to pending development.