Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome claims. The diabetes mellitus claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating, as there is no evidence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not addressing whether obesity, caused by service-connected diabetes mellitus, is a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea will be reconsidered with the addition of a VA opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examination and Reserve service records. The issue of service connection for diabetes will be decided on the merits.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of any diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.,The etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability need to be determined through a VA examination.,The etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability needs to be determined through a VA examination.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service, with consideration given to weight gain as an intermediary factor.,An appropriate VA examination is required to assess the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 17, 2013. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to his foot disability, tinnitus, DM, and associated conditions have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II, was denied as the evidence did not show that he required insulin or regulation of activities.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was remanded due to the need for an additional examination to assess whether there is any internal deformity, such as nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to very frequent and prolonged prostrating attacks.,For his right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating. The examination revealed limited range of motion with dorsiflexion being less than 15 degrees.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability (secondary to the right shoulder).

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his Agent Orange exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities are granted. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder or right hip disability related to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, Type II are related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The claims are being remanded for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met and grants the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid cancer due to alleged exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Panama Canal Zone. The Board requested verification of such exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus should be remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence from a recent examination and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, nerve disorders of the upper extremities, and residuals of a stroke due to unclear medical evidence and insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within a year after his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.