Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, neuropathy of lower extremities, and neuropathy of upper extremities. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes was denied. The Board is considering the possibility of an extraschedular evaluation, but has not yet made a decision on this aspect.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and for further development. The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma and diabetes mellitus claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis or treatment records. Hearing loss, heart disorder, infertility, and special monthly compensation issues remain pending.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were granted at 20 percent, but no higher. The initial rating for diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity was denied prior to April 27, 2016, with a subsequent grant of 40 percent from that date. The initial rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity was also denied prior to April 27, 2016, but granted at 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II due to a lack of current diagnosis and because his glucose levels have not met the criteria for diabetes. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service but does not meet the required presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to benzene exposure. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations or evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs VA examinations for sinus issues, prostate issues, sleep apnea, acid reflux condition, acquired psychiatric disability (depression and/or anxiety), and gout.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 is found to have contributed substantially and causally to the onset of his pancreatic cancer, which was listed as the cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The case is remanded for further action on the claim of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is requested to provide any medical or non-medical evidence linking his conditions to his service-connected mental disorder.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy has been rated based on visual acuity and field loss, resulting in a combined rating of 50 percent since February 17, 2017.,Diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 10, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are found to be at least as functionally impaired, if not worse, than a person who has adequately functioning prosthetic devices following amputation at the ankle level. As such, he is granted a 100 percent disability rating for loss of use of both feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further evidentiary development, including an examination of the current severity of the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 40 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's flatfeet were aggravated by service and are considered secondary to his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's right hip disability is due to his service-connected flatfeet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence that it is etiologically related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. For the lumbar spine disability, the Board found that a 40 percent rating, but no higher, is warranted from October 2017 and thereafter.

The Veteran's headaches, diagnosed as tension headaches, are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied.