Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The diabetes mellitus rating was increased to 40 percent effective from August 3, 2010.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,Sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable. Tinnitus has already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for her bilateral eye disability, secondary to diabetes mellitus, is also granted.,Service connection for a kidney disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The examiner needs to consider lay testimony and other evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with erectile dysfunction is rated at the minimum level of disability. The peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities are also rated at their lowest levels.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart murmur, diabetes mellitus type II, right wrist condition, left knee neuropathy, right knee neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that substantial compliance with the September 2018 remand instructions was not achieved and thus, the matter is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD and major depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and breathing problems have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding secondary service connection for upper back disability.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including post-polio syndrome and its secondary effects, due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected hypertension was also denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including referral to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) and no showing of a direct or presumptive link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, CAD and old myocardial infarction are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's CAD and old myocardial infarction due to herbicide exposure. However, service connection for gastrointestinal disability, skin cancer, and respiratory disability remains pending as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 9, 2015. His TDIU claim was denied as his disabilities were at 60% combined and did not meet the regulatory threshold for total disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in service, as the disease manifests at a 10% level or more.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent from May 15, 1998 to May 13, 1999. The rating for the period prior to May 14, 1999 is denied and a higher rating after that date is also denied.