Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 2, 2019, for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Veteran also had his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 denied due to not meeting the permanent total service-connected disability requirement.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are not entitled to a higher disability rating than currently assigned. The restoration of the 20 percent ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) on an accrued benefits basis is denied. A 100 percent rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)/B-cell lymphoma is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) on an accrued benefits basis is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, on an accrued benefits basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his pending appeals before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

An effective date of July 18, 2018 is granted for the grant of a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities and right upper extremity, as well as a 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.,An effective date of July 3, 2019 is granted for the grant of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to verify whether the Veteran handled parts from aircraft that had flown over Vietnam, and if so, whether this would have exposed him to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, pulmonary congestion, skin cancer, and cause of death due to service connection purposes. The issues are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation, aggravation, and obesity.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete development and need for a medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 with erectile dysfunction and associated neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his need for regulation of activities and potential additional complications.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are found to be the primary causes of his diabetic nephropathy.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is also found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing VA treatment records and inextricably intertwined with service connection claims. The RO is required to obtain all outstanding records, including from VAMC in Brooklyn, NY.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and North Port Emergency Care Center on October 14, 2016 is granted. The treatment was provided in a hospital emergency department due to severe lower extremity pain and swelling related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's alcohol use disorder and service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and coronary artery disease as these conditions are not etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as he is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available. The cases for service connection for painful knees, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and phlebitis are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a cardiac disability, and peripheral artery disease due to their secondary nature to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.