Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed as the claim has been resolved by a full grant of benefits. The Board lacks jurisdiction over this issue due to the grant of the claim. The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with urinary retention, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ must verify these claims and then reassess the service connection based on this verification.

The Board has determined that the VA decision did not obtain sufficient evidence to properly assess the Veteran's conditions and remands both issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA must obtain additional records and provide an updated opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent after November 2, 2010. The left foot and ankle conditions are each rated at 30 percent. Diabetes mellitus and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 10 percent. Bilateral cataracts are rated as 10 percent effective October 28, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and additional SMC were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2 or additional SMC due to erectile dysfunction. For right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, a 30 percent rating was granted since July 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spondylosis and discogenic disease due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy is rated at 10% prior to July 2, 2015 and at 30% from July 2, 2015. The Board denied both ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II to include as due to herbicide exposure and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for eye disability, DM II, hypertension, and auditory dysfunction due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent and no higher.,Diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent and no higher.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dermatitis on the right and left legs, and scar formation of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was granted service connection.,Service connection was also granted for prostate cancer, diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded these claims for further action, including determining if the surviving spouse can substitute as the claimant.

The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, but denied tinnitus. The issues regarding neuropathy of the lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.