Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Kidney disability and recurrent hypertension are not service-connected.,Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam is sufficient to establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability have been granted. The claim for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right extremity and an eye disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for hepatitis B remains at a noncompensable rating due to lack of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo further medical examinations related to his knee, hip, back, neck, arthritis, foot, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, eye, lung, and hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and renal insufficiency with edema, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective October 20, 2014. However, the issues of increased ratings for CAD and an earlier effective date are remanded as they may significantly impact the decision on TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for release of his private treatment records from Precision Fabric and Pleasant Garden Family Medicine.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective from January 7, 2012. The appeal remains on hold due to remanded issues.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals of his claims for increased ratings for Erectile Dysfunction, Kidney Disability, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, and Diabetes Mellitus. The claim for an increased rating for Residuals of Cerebrovascular Accident is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction, including as due to Agent Orange exposure or related to his service-connected prostate hypertrophy and diabetes mellitus, is remanded. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction) is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite, low back disability, asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes was granted. The issues of service connection for a heart disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology, particularly in relation to environmental exposures and service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on both direct exposure during service and secondary to his already determined service-connected PTSD, CFS, and GERD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection. The evidence also showed no chronicity of symptoms in service or continuity since separation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to concerns about weight gain and obesity, which may be related to service-connected conditions such as diabetes mellitus, CAD, back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, or anxiety disorder NOS with unspecified psychotic disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient examination reports and opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development including examinations and opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to secure or maintain employment prior to January 21, 2009.