Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and anemia, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The appeals for service connection on all five issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of insulin and restricted diet or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet being required.,Bilateral cataracts are currently rated at 10 percent from May 13, 2018 to May 13, 2019. The Veteran underwent bilateral cataract surgery in April 2019, which qualifies as an incapacitating episode under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.,Onychomycosis in both toes is rated at noncompensable since topical therapy was sufficient and less than 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas were affected. The Veteran did not require systemic therapy.,TDIU as of April 14, 2019 is granted based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or sustaining gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes, hypertension, renal failure, and sleep apnea syndrome as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service aboard the USS Intrepid, which could affect his claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. The Board also found that hypertension and diabetes are secondary to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder or left knee disability, but additional evidence is needed for a final determination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 1, but denied service connection for hypogonadism (claimed as low testosterone), due to the lack of a proper diagnosis and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in wartime service due to herbicide agent exposure. The polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dental disability are related to his service-connected duodenal ulcer or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides, particularly at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The VA will conduct further development by contacting the Compensation and Pension Service and the JSRRC.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for aplastic anemia with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis has been withdrawn, and the Board no longer has jurisdiction to decide that claim. The cases of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and heart condition are remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's eye condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions and need for clarification on whether the Veteran had diabetes prior to death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the potential aggravation of diabetes by OSA.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension as not related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents at Camp Lejeune.,The cause of death claim was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The ratings for left hand weakness and residuals of left index finger amputation were also denied, but the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for his left index finger scar effective February 29, 2012. He is now receiving TDIU benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.