Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, skin disability (claimed as a rash on forearm, elbow, calves and eyelids), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting evidence regarding the type of diabetes mellitus and potential in-service exposure to VOCs or herbicides. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, and his Social Security Administration (SSA) records should also be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's August 2009 Notice of Disagreement was timely in appealing the July 2009 denial of service connection for hypertension. The issue is being remanded to provide an SOC and allow the Veteran to perfect his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information to verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure while stationed in Korea, and for further consideration of the claim on a direct basis if necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service complaints or treatment and no continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a nexus between service and the Veteran’s diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's eye disability, including whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which is not service-connected. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between diabetes mellitus and renal cell cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted based on service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, Type II with diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and erectile dysfunction; and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's partial amputations of the feet are also being evaluated.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim for the period prior to October 11, 2013, and the depression and diabetic retinopathy claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a speech disorder is denied. His lung disability has been granted an initial rating of 30%, effective November 29, 2007. The Veteran's laryngeal papillomatosis and diabetes mellitus type II have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board dismissed all issues related to increased ratings and special monthly compensation due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for tingling and stinging sensations in extremities has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, secondary peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, prostate cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. However, due to a lack of evidence linking erectile dysfunction to these conditions, the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back injury, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, diabetes, and kidney disease as secondary to a back injury and bilateral ankle condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

An effective date of October 7, 2014, is granted for the grant of service connection for mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.,Effective dates earlier than July 16, 2013, are denied for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C. The diabetes mellitus type II and acquired psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.