Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The specific issues are: service connection for a low back disability, service connection for diabetes mellitus, rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right index finger, and fracture of the right fifth metacarpal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; polyneuropathy of the left and right lower extremities; and coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are denied as he did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, pneumonia residuals, and back disability have been denied.,No new or material evidence was received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus with Erectile Dysfunction is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has granted a higher 40 percent rating, but no greater, for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as amputation of the right leg below the knee being found to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to PTSD, diabetes, and/or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature that suggests a possible link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II were granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right chest wall fibrohistiocytoma and diabetes mellitus, Type II are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to chemical, biological, and radiological substances at Fort Ord and Hunter Liggett Military Reservation.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease is granted at a 60 percent rating prior to March 23, 2018.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected disabilities is granted.,Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities is granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from July 29, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is being remanded.,Service connection for the left shoulder disability remains in appellate status.

The Board has denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, type II and remanded the claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment in his prior occupations as a shipyard crane operator and heavy equipment operator.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was previously rated as 10 percent and has been severed from service connection. The claim for an increase in this condition is denied due to legal disqualification after severance of service connection.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim has been reopened, but further evidence and an opinion are needed to determine if it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with impotence, urinary incontinence, and urinary tract infections from May 1, 2016 to January 26, 2020 is rated at a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.