Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation regarding his ability to operate a vehicle given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection for sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic nephropathy with chronic kidney disease as there was no prior claim received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his disabilities are not service-connected, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 24, 2014. The Board granted TDIU effective February 6, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disabilities other than left homonymous hemianopsia, refractive error, nuclear sclerosis cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to multiple sclerosis, and found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The decision also determined that there was no CUE in the denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for his left knee DJD are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to DDT in Korea and the relationship between his current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for DM with hypertension, ED, and bilateral nuclear sclerotic cataracts and retinopathy was denied. The rating assigned is 40 percent effective February 7, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was diagnosed within one year of his active duty service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,Effective July 20, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy affecting the femoral nerve.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including schizophrenia and PTSD), type II diabetes mellitus, and a foot condition. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, low back pain, sinusitis, hypertension, GERD, painful lower extremities/myalgias, coronary artery disease (heart disease), flu virus, group C virus, adenovirus, skin disability, and right kidney disability have all been denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,The claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, fractures, right toes has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding his eye conditions and their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the Board after further development, including an updated VA eye examination.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to new evidence received and a failure to provide notice regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities all stem from the common etiology of diabetes. When combined under VA’s Combined Ratings Table, they meet the minimum threshold for a TDIU rating.