Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2017 remand directives and thus the case is being REMANDED for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence verifying exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to concerns about updated VA examinations, particularly regarding a bilateral knee disorder. The examiner is requested to clarify whether this disorder is related to service-connected conditions or if it should be considered separately.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted with a 70% rating for the period prior to May 22, 2014, and a 100% rating thereafter. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted with a 70% rating. The Veteran's CAD is also granted with a 70% rating.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. Service connection was denied for type II diabetes mellitus and colon cancer as they were not shown to be related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability (cataracts), edema of abdomen, legs, and feet, and a liver disability, all claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran served in Thailand during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.,Tinnitus is also granted as due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, Type II, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity as there was no formal claim or intent to file a claim prior to June 10, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. A 100% rating was granted from October 24, 2013 to March 20, 2014 for prostate cancer and residuals were not compensable since March 21, 2014. The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus remains at a noncompensable level.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability (emphysema/COPD) and diabetes, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions began during his active service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board also found no probative evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a single service-connected disability rated as total and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current sinusitis, sciatic nerve disabilities, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his active duty period and one year after discharge. The Veteran needs to provide additional treatment records from the Chicago VAMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his reported exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from March 25, 2014. Prior to that date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and various knee and foot conditions, effectively preclude him from all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus and nephropathy were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions required more than restricted diet, one or more daily injection of insulin, and an oral glycemic agent (for diabetes) or recurring albuminuria with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells (for nephropathy).