Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukopenia has been denied as it is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vision disorder other than diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and pseudophakia, to include blepharitis and dry eyes was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for an increased rating for diabetic retinopathy with bilateral cataracts, pseudophakia, and left eye glaucoma prior to September 7, 2016 were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment, specifically as a production worker in an automotive vehicle engine plant from February 2006 to February 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are both rated at 20 percent each.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are both rated at 10 percent each.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is currently rated at 60 percent.

Effective September 2, 2014, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected conditions including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and vascular disease.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's diabetes does not require regulation of activities and that erectile dysfunction is included in the 20 percent rating as a noncompensable complication.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and his unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting assessments regarding the need for activity regulation and strength loss due to diabetes. A new VA examination is required to clarify these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, Charcot disease, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and residual left leg nerve damage as secondary to deep vein thrombosis. The decision is based on the lack of a service-connected primary condition.

The Board granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand and presumptively related his current condition to this exposure.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Japan. The conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no link between his in-service exposure to asbestos and his current condition. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered competent evidence regarding the etiology of his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and the appeal period for an increased rating does not warrant a higher rating.,PTSD with generalized anxiety was rated at 70 percent prior to June 11, 2019. The case is remanded as the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.,TDIU was granted effective November 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a heart disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and an eye disability. The equilibrium disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several of these claims.,The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 11, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. He also appealed his diabetes mellitus rating, peripheral neuropathy ratings, and effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and service connection for retinopathy as a complication of his diabetes mellitus has been granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim was withdrawn during the hearing, and he is now receiving TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further adjudication regarding the appellant's request for substitution in her husband's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus and lung cancer.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied.