Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied as there was no diagnosis during the Veteran's lifetime.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (COPD) is denied because the condition is attributed to smoking, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for stroke secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for impairment of sphincter control and anal reconstruction is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, residuals of a right arm burn, left knee disability, sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and insomnia. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and TDIU due to a lack of VA treatment records from SSA and the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam, as well as an incomplete opinion regarding the severity of diabetes mellitus prior to January 31, 2016.

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran's ischemic heart disease already warrants a 100% schedular disability rating. The claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records from February 2017 to August 2019. The SMC based on housebound and aid and attendance criteria are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a compensable rating for hypertension were both denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating as it does not manifest albumin or casts, edema, or hypertension at least 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was denied.,The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 20, 2020, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of compliance with previous directives and incomplete development regarding radiation exposure during service.

The claim for service connection for chronic liver disease without cirrhosis claimed as hepatitis C has been denied. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for microvascular coronary disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran’s service personnel records and contact JSRRC or other appropriate agency to corroborate his claimed herbicide exposure during service at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any relevant criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to his death. His claim for PTSD with depression was granted, and the issue is no longer in appellate status.

The Board's decision granting service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus is vacated. The issue of service connection for loss of vision other than refractive error and diabetic retinopathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that neither heart disorder nor diabetes mellitus were related to service or any service-connected condition. The Board also found no evidence linking kidney cancer or chronic kidney disease to service.

The Veteran has permanent loss of use of the right foot due to service-connected disability, and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity. The decision is based on microwave radiation exposure during military service.