Diabetes Board decisions

The effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disorder, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder with major depression prior to April 11, 2016, sleep apnea, GERD, right wrist sprain with avascular necrosis, status post removal of necrotic bone, psoriasis, diabetes, right ankle sprain, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, chest disorder, residuals of head injury including scar, and vocal chords disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as these new and material evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus and for entitlement to a compensable rating for excision of growth of the right lower abdomen. The Veteran must file a timely substantive appeal within one year from the issuance of the SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for diabetes, including as due to herbicide exposure. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including those related to exposure to herbicide agents, as the evidence did not establish actual or presumed exposure and the conditions were not shown to be directly related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in Korea with a unit that may have been near the DMZ where herbicides were applied. Further verification is needed regarding his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to uncertainty regarding his claimed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board requests additional information from the Veteran and seeks verification of his alleged service in Thailand or a half-day layover in Saigon, Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for reopening service connection claims and effective date issues, but has remanded his claim seeking a noninitial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected headaches, vascular type.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer was reopened and granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a throat condition were remanded.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed. The appeals for increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left-wrist disorder, service connection for left-hand numbness (to include carpal tunnel syndrome), service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, service connection for kidney disorder, to include as secondary to medications prescribed for hypertension and/or an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD are all remanded.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, hypertension, and cognitive disorder were not shown during service or within a year of discharge.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as the evidence does not establish that they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran was adequately compensated by his current ratings, with higher ratings not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being submitted after the March 2016 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of additional evidence, including a private Kidney Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire and recent treatment records. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is rated at 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).