Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol, secondary to diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20% and is not increased.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability (ischemic heart disease), due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records related to nerve conduction studies for diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for peripheral vascular disease is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the prostate cancer claim was denied due to lack of evidence of renal dysfunction or urinary tract infection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities could not be established.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), coronary artery disease, kidney disease, anemia, bilateral eye disorder, and hypertension, all of which are presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed. The issues of an initial compensable rating for right nephrolithiasis and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of substantial compliance with its October 2018 Remand directives. The appeal is also remanded to obtain a new opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current diabetes and his active military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus and entitlement to SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 16, 2016 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or causation due to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame, despite the presumption of regularity and potential equitable tolling.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use his feet. The VA is instructed to schedule an examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 18, 2013 to June 21, 2016, due to its significant impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, due to herbicide exposure is granted. Service connection for this condition is also granted. The claims for skin cancer and respiratory disability are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating as his condition has required one or more daily injections of insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease is denied, but he is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as the evidence does not show that his neuropathy and diabetes prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to potential in-service exposure to herbicides or radiation. The AOJ is instructed to seek verification of the Veteran's claimed exposures at Fort Dix, Fort Bennning, Fort Riley, and Frankfurt Germany.