Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower hernia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, skeletal arthritis, sinus disorder, COPD, headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, or asbestosis. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD in excess of 60 percent prior to July 21, 2011, and in excess of 30 percent from July 21, 2011, to September 10, 2018, is denied. The remaining issues related to eligibility for specially adapted housing, SMC based on loss of use of the legs, and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran asserts service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. However, the AOJ has not attempted to verify his claimed herbicide exposure and thus remand is necessary to attempt verification of such exposure.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral upper neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral lower neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a stomach disability. The AOJ has not provided an opinion on this issue and thus remand is necessary.,The Veteran asserts service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in May 2020.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left ring finger fracture with hand arthritis is granted. The Veteran's initial rating higher than 10 percent for left LCL sprain with residual fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, unspecified anxiety disorder, and fatigue are denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and low back disability, as well as the reopening of previously denied claims for type II diabetes mellitus (DM2), Lyme disease, and hypertension, are being remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeals for glaucoma and gestational diabetes have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and neuropathy of the bilateral feet as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM2) as the evidence did not show it had onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and granted this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and a right knee disability, renders him unemployable due to significant symptoms that preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and myocardial infarction as due to hypertension. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.,Service connection for COPD was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability. Service connection for myocardial infarction was denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it was not proximately caused by service-connected hypertension.

The claims for service connection for psoriasis, left knee degenerative joint disease, arthritis, right knee disability, diabetes, and hypertension have all been denied as the evidence does not show a direct relationship to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including low back disability, right inguinal hernia repair, GERD, diabetes mellitus, CAD, neck disability, hypertension, hemorrhoids, renal failure, and colitis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. However, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, these claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that the current disabilities are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted, but an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not show that the disability requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.