Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction is granted with a 60% rating prior to May 14, 2020.,From May 14, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction is denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and there is no evidence to warrant an increase in this rating.,Service connection for a colon condition was denied due to lack of current symptoms or diagnosis.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted service connection but remains noncompensable.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity also has been granted service connection but remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure during service. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid condition, bladder condition, and diabetic condition due to potential service connection based on in-service Agent Orange exposure. The VA will obtain private treatment records and schedule a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to procedural errors in docketing under the AMA system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability (hypertension), and prostate disability are remanded due to the need for further examination regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for COPD, increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II, and increased rating for scar to neck have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and low back arthritis are all granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II, right lower extremity neuropathy, left upper and right upper extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to be related to his current diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hypertension. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathies were granted service connection. The PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 30%, effective July 1, 2020, for reasons related to the reduction process. Higher ratings for some of his disabilities were also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no current diagnosis of the condition and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were chronic during and after service. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection due to a disease manifesting in service and continuing since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), right lower peripheral neuropathy, left lower peripheral neuropathy, right peripheral vascular disease, left peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the Veteran missing his VA examinations.,The Board finds that the Veteran presented good cause for having missed his appointments and therefore, the claims must be remanded to afford the Veteran adequate examinations and medical opinions regarding these disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in or near the Korean DMZ.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist omissions and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and Type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma is remanded as the AOJ failed to obtain a direct service connection medical opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

A 50 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) diabetic peripheral neuropathy, throughout the appeal, is granted.,A 40 percent rating for left upper extremity (LUE) diabetic peripheral neuropathy, throughout the appeal, is granted.,Entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records and unattempted private medical record requests.