Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his psychiatric condition does not severely impair his ability to work in a work environment that requires frequent interactions with others. His peripheral neuropathy is not found to interfere with his employability, and his diabetes mellitus type 2 does not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic residuals of a right eye injury, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

An effective date of February 25, 2011 for an award of service connection for diabetic peripheral vascular disease, right lower extremity is granted.,An effective date prior to December 12, 2016 for an award of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is denied.,An effective date prior to November 22, 2016 for an award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on house bound status is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent, prior to September 25, 2013 for ischemic heart disease is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent, from September 25, 2013 to November 22, 2016 for ischemic heart disease is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent, effective December 12, 2016 for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, complications of diabetes mellitus including loss of vision, and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that they are not related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that VA examinations and VA addendum opinions are warranted prior to appellate review for the Veteran's skin disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for tinnitus, service connection for sinusitis with rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all remanded for further development.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence did not provide sufficient information to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's death is due to diabetes mellitus, which the appellant contends was caused by herbicide exposure during service. The appeal is remanded for obtaining complete service personnel records and deck logs of the USS Kitty Hawk.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) the rating for diabetes mellitus, type II; and 2) the effective date for a TDIU. The Veteran's kidney function tests have suggested a kidney disorder as a complication of his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, lung cancer, and related neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure because there is insufficient evidence to determine if he served in the Republic of Vietnam or its territorial waters.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and esophageal conditions due to new evidence submitted. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disorder have been granted service connection, but the Board has determined that a TDIU prior to September 24, 2013 is not warranted due to his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted, while her claim for diabetes remained denied. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea, and for his claims of retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as they are inextricably intertwined with his diabetes claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by bilateral foot and toe pain is denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted, but a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder remains denied. Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted with an increased rating to 70 percent. A TDIU is granted.