Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic polyneuropathy and differentiate between its effects from his service-connected disabilities and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and a lack of clarification on access to his service treatment records prior to 2001. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding diabetes and bilateral leg peripheral neuropathy, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Veteran is currently receiving SMC under Subsection (l) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied retroactive CRDP compensation payments for the period from August 1, 2013 to April 30, 2015 due to a correct adjustment by DFAS.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, high blood pressure, arthritis, and kidney and bladder stones. The Veteran's exposure to non-ionizing radiation from radar equipment during his military service will be considered as part of this process.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type I due to obesity. The bilateral factor applied resulted in a total combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes and TDIU due to insufficient examination findings, including a failure to address obesity as an intermediate step in the causal chain.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lacunar infarcts, which are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and evaluation for the listed conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as presumptively related to his service in Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and his claim for a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and an assessment of the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his functionality.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues due to incomplete development or procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the severity level of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is aggravated by her service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new and material evidence provided by his wife.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that his current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy is proximately due to his diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board also remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU prior to April 23, 2019. The claim for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is remanded due to inadequate opinion.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for periodontal gum disease associated with diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.