Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis. The Veteran was exposed to noise in Vietnam during his military service but did not have a valid audiogram at separation from service. He has provided lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms since service. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of healed injury right wrist is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or more than limitation of motion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied because there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for sleep apnea, as there was no in-service diagnosis or onset of the condition. For his diabetes mellitus, the Board agreed with the RO's determination that the current 20% rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypogonadism due to lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis. The claims for increased evaluations for bilateral shin splints and diabetes mellitus are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their current severity.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, may be related to service under presumptive provisions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and low back disability are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea, finding that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's contentions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to insufficient verification of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Additional efforts are needed to verify this exposure and a VA examination may be required.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal in August 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been rated higher than noncompensable, and the Board finds that a TDIU prior to October 31, 2017 is warranted based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as his claim for TDIU due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, stress incontinence, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal have been fully granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including for diabetes mellitus, ulcers, ischemic heart disease, and male hypogonadism. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran’s claimed exposure at McClellan Air Force Base from April 1970 to April 1972.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as well as tinnitus. The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is also not service connected.,Service connection was denied for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, skin rash, and rectal carcinoid tumor due to new and material evidence. However, it denied these claims as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and potential updated examinations.