Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has found the Veteran's sleep apnea examination inadequate and must again remand the claim. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate compensable rating for his diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has not required regulation of activities, and a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.,For the appeal period from April 9, 2019 to January 21, 2020, the Veteran’s CAD disability more nearly approximated a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in angina, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a left eye disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure, and the medical opinions did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a condition of the hands and fingers, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to additional development being required. The Veteran's representative provided new evidence in September 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has restored service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the original denial was due to CUE. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for prostate cancer is remanded, as well as his claims for diabetic neuropathy and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 70% for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II (DM), diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and coronary artery disease. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disability, specifically diabetic retinopathy and refractive error. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether any of these disabilities are related to service or caused by diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral knee instability, and diabetes have resulted in a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective July 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of a discectomy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were both denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and high cholesterol as they were not related to his military service. The claim for a higher rating of pes planus with metatarsalgia was also denied.

The Board has restored DIC benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death and has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. However, it has also determined that the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus was improper.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for diabetes mellitus and arthritis condition are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.