Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for severance of service connection for pulmonary nodules and left lung base scarring, as well as the claims for liver disease and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure during service are considered.

The Veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis with hysteria is found to have contributed substantially or materially to the cause of his death, which occurred in December 2011. The Board affirms that this disability was a contributory cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner will be asked to clarify this and provide opinions on whether the service-connected disabilities or medications prescribed for them caused obesity, if obesity was a factor in causing sleep apnea, and what would have happened without the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated at Level I, which does not warrant a compensable rating. The right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for disability.,The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's spouse reported witnessing his snoring, gasping, and interrupted breathing shortly after separation from service in 1991. VA treatment records are needed to support a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is dismissed. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's in-service exposure to dust and airborne particles with his death from acute myocardial infarction. The Board found that while there were positive opinions, they lacked sufficient rationale and were speculative.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including left elbow disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, memory loss associated with major depressive disorder, peripheral vestibular disability, left knee scar, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it required only restricted diet and daily injections of insulin during the period on appeal. Separate ratings were also denied for diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes was denied, and he is currently receiving a TDIU.,For the period prior to January 15, 2020, his diabetes disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board denied reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus because no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and an earlier effective date for a hearing loss increase. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion on its onset and etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not require regular aid and attendance from another person, nor did he meet the criteria for being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need further development.,The Veteran’s skin disabilities of the back and ears are remanded due to insufficient exposure basis documentation.,Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and extraschedular ratings, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim. The Veteran must provide detailed employment information and supporting documentation, and VA will obtain updated treatment records and addendum opinions regarding the relationship between his mood disorder and diabetes mellitus/sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of claims for effective dates earlier than January 29, 2018 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED for further development on issues including low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, psychiatric disorders, and bilateral hearing loss.