Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in 1962, which is necessary for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and various types of peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions in the file.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and anxiety disorders. The decision is based on the severity of his conditions and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU from July 2, 2007 to August 19, 2010 due to his marginal employment and lack of physical or mental limitations.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 1, 2019 was denied as there is no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and a need for additional medical opinions on whether diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of the right kidney was denied due to a lack of evidence showing that VA care caused his condition, while the low back disability secondary to service-connected conditions issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran’s right knee disability is not warranted due to limited flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve were granted, with a reduction to 10 percent effective July 2019. A higher rating of 40 percent was granted beginning June 3, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU due to various issues including DMII, bilateral frozen feet, right foot surgery, and pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and right knee disability, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service injury. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance needs to be remanded due to inconsistencies in medical evaluations, lack of clarity on current level of care, and need for further examination. The case will be returned for clarification of the current level of special monthly compensation and a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), tinnitus, heart disability, hypertension, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, psychiatric disorder, vision loss, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted only in relation to the reopening of the claim for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The issues of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, and hepatitis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding records of VA and VA-authorized treatment, including scanned/VistA imaging records. The right knee increased evaluation claims are also remanded for an adequate medical examination.