Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral cataracts were aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, claimed as acute reactive depression; diabetes mellitus; dermatitis; and toenail onychomycosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's myasthenia gravis, specifically whether it is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a major extremity.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a minor extremity.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Erectile dysfunction is not compensably disabling.,Hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Sebaceous cyst of the thoracic area is not compensably disabling.,Hiatal hernia (previously rated as a chronic digestive condition) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. The TDIU claim is also referred back for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his diabetes, which in turn contributed to his death. The VA must obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's type II diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes as there was no evidence of its incurrence during active duty or ACDUTRA, and the claimant did not meet the criteria to be considered a Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents are granted. The hearing loss claim is remanded, and the TDIU claim is also in need of further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted effective November 30, 2016. The claim for TDIU is also granted as of July 25, 2017.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection for DMII was granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for VA examinations and remanded for further development of his claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, left ankle condition, tinea pedis, sinusitis, COPD, and DMII.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for hepatic steatosis and for service connection for a Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, chronic fatigue, fatigue secondary to diabetes, a lung nodule, a chronic respiratory condition, chronic upper respiratory conditions claimed as flu-like condition, bone fractures of the left thumb and pinky, chest pain, cysts in the armpit area, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dizziness, eustachian tube dysfunction, eye disease, a fungal condition described as feet and buttocks rash, gastrointestinal issues, hemorrhoids, a hernia condition, a groin condition, a penile condition described as lack of sex drive, bipolar disorder, tinea versicolor, and a bladder condition.,The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for a skin rash/burn condition was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as presumptively linked to herbicide agent exposure. The case for service connection of progressive supranuclear palsy due to presumed herbicide agent exposure is remanded, and a direct service connection claim is also considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification of opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the grant of maximum schedular rating for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for anxiety, PTSD, a left leg amputation, diabetes mellitus, type II, and liver dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and related peripheral neuropathies are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as claims related to his death and various disabilities, were denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at a 40 percent level, but higher ratings are not warranted. Ratings for other conditions such as neurological impairments, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II, have resulted in his needing regular aid and attendance. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran requires assistance in performing activities of daily living due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of verification regarding whether the 173rd Airborne was deployed to Vietnam in 1964.