Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetic nephropathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in July 2015. The Veteran's current cardiac disability and hypertension are being reviewed by an appropriate physician to determine their relationship with his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The diabetes mellitus rating has not met the criteria for a higher rating, but his pilonidal cyst with recurrent open wound warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes, coronary artery disease with cardiac valvulopathy (CAD), and transient ischemic attack associated with hypertension (TIA) have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of actual in-country service or exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it. However, service connection was denied for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and neck disorder as the appellant did not become disabled by these conditions during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran was awarded compensation benefits for complications from a cardiac catheterization, including additional disabilities such as necrotizing fasciitis and diarrhea. He also received SMC based on his need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes. The initial rating for his diabetes mellitus, type II, is also being remanded due to the submission of a timely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. He needs a VA examination to assess this.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as his hypertension, are due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The postoperative cardiac surgery scar is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing on the issue of bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding the remaining issues. The appellant must file a substantive appeal to continue their appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he claims is related to his exposure to hazardous chemicals during active duty in Guam. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions associated with Parkinson's disease have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his eye disability. The current rating of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema remains at 0 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease are granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.