Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to their being intertwined with other pending claims. The Veteran also asserts that liver and kidney diseases are secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 6, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his history, education, skill, and previous work experience.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have resulted in his inability to maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 10, 2015, to the present. The Board has determined that the criteria for a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are met.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The diabetes mellitus type II claim has been withdrawn from appeal.,The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and bilateral knee and leg disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to an oversight in a previous decision. The Veteran served in Vietnam and had a hemoglobin A1C level of 5.8 percent, which Dr. S.R. characterized as pre-diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed diabetes mellitus type II. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records, provide an addendum opinion from a qualified practitioner on the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, and schedule a TERA examination for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for hyperglycemia, to include as secondary to a major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's eye conditions, including left eye proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, right eye diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral cataracts, are being remanded for further clarification of the pathologic process responsible for his visual impairment. The VA will also need to determine if the Veteran has experienced incapacitating episodes related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, lung disorder (claimed as COPD), tinnitus, and glaucoma. The Veteran must now request an SOC before these issues can be appealed further.

The Board has remanded the claims for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's request for a hearing at the RO was not addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various neurological disabilities and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service or secondary to her service-connected heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension, end-stage kidney disease, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted service connection. The appeal for a higher evaluation of atrial fibrillation was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is still rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, heart disease and high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.