Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability were remanded. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 1, 2017—the date of his claim.,The Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability should be remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain outstanding records and address the absence of evidence in the Veteran’s STRs.,The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for restless leg syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran’s PTSD.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for cataracts status post lens implants and dry eye syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac dysrhythmia, was found to be related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran had a combined rating of 70% at the time of his death and was in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Service connection for cause of death is granted, but DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied due to lack of continuous total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus. Additional development is needed, including obtaining records and providing another examination if necessary.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and back disability, stomach disorder, right knee disorder, liver disorder, skin lesions (other than the already service-connected right ear cyst), hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or until many years after separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection remain pending and will be remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking any symptoms to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, DMII, hypertension, gynecomastia, and bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran died due to lung cancer and diabetes. The VA did not find evidence of negligence or lack of proper skill in diagnosing his lung cancer, which was diagnosed after two weeks of symptoms. The Board found no fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal require further examination to determine the extent of his low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, and residuals of a gunshot wound of the left hip.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent from May 15, 2013 to June 17, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including aggravation of injuries from an automobile accident, diabetes mellitus, fatigue, hypertension, sleep apnea, headaches, and dizziness. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's reported dizziness.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus requires only a restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent, not requiring insulin or regulation of activities. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent based on moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 20 percent based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer have been granted due to new evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The conditions are presumed related to this exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, but has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, carotid arterial disease, left hand disability, right hand disability, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as due to herbicide exposure. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left true vocal cord paralysis with dysphonia and globus sensation has been remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and eye disorder due to additional development being required. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be affected by these pending claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical records from his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to increased ratings for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on a lack of VA treatment records from August 2010 forward.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to the death of the Veteran.