Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA treatment records and potential police reports. The Veteran is required to provide information about any private treatment she received, including physical therapy for her back from Pivot, and authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 or better from June 23, 2010 to January 5, 2015. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for this period.,Effective since January 6, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 or better with right eye visual field defect.

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity since September 6, 2016 was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be bladder cancer, which is presumed service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,The surviving spouse is not entitled to DIC benefits as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a totally disabling condition at any point prior to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inability to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the service records and need for clarification on the Veteran's periods of service, particularly regarding his diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 30, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective advisory opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus prior to December 18, 2009. The matter will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records from Dr. Cook.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus and osteomyelitis are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to VA care or treatment.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts has been granted at a 20 percent level. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee condition, based on limited flexion. The remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right knee condition and the severity of his service-connected left knee conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for DM and pancreatitis. The petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back condition was granted, as were those for peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted service connection as presumed due to herbicide exposure, while his bilateral knee arthritis is denied as not related to service.