Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of new and relevant evidence. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of DM.

The appeal to readjudicate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetes mellitus is granted.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for a heart condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, adjust prosthetic appliances, feed himself through coordination issues, attend to the wants of nature, or protect himself from hazards. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to July 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address his sleep apnea, cataracts, and other eye conditions. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea due to diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for bilateral cataracts are being reviewed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability was a principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's liver disability claim is remanded. His tinnitus, diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and left ankle disability claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoarthritis (including of the bilateral hands, right knee, right hip, left shoulder, and neck), all claimed as secondary to service-connected cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, right ankle injury residuals, DMII, CTS, and a noncompensable wrist scar, have precluded him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and DMII due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy, which manifested as visual impairment and eye pain with glare, warranted a higher than 60 percent rating from June 18, 2007, based on the severity of his disability picture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with implanted cardiac pacemaker, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and/or hypertension. However, due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA opinion, another remand is required for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus and a bilateral eye condition, as well as the TDIU claim due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, effective from June 18, 2010, through June 13, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus developed in service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease is denied as the condition did not develop in service or is otherwise unrelated to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was previously denied, but he has pre-diabetes which does not meet current disability criteria.,The Veteran's onychomycosis/onychodystrophy affects less than five percent of total body area and no exposed areas, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,Service connection for glaucoma, fatty liver disease, asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lipomas and scars status post excision of lipomas is remanded.