Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease. The denial is due to a lack of service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is required for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as there was no new and relevant evidence presented after the January 2019 denial.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and tinnitus has been granted. The left wrist disability remains under remand.,The Veteran's DMII is presumed related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's gout was initially manifested during active service and is granted. The issues of service connection for hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, right kidney disability, gall bladder disability, colon disability, respiratory disability, tonsil disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and diabetic retinopathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to diabetic neuropathy was denied. For the period prior to January 2, 2018, his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. From January 2, 2018 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim based on diabetic neuropathy was granted as the disability prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, brain cyst, and psychiatric disorder, all of which were found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability with foot drop was granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for diabetic sensory neuropathy of his left and right lower extremities (femoral nerve) from noncompensable to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2019. The reduction in rating was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran’s condition.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the cases of left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and sleep apnea disabilities due to lack of in-service onset or relationship.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve of both lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy is being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board has decided that SMC due to the need for Aid and Attendance is granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and vascular neurocognitive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted service connection. The Veteran's type two diabetes mellitus, bilateral open angle glaucoma, and tinnitus are not granted increased ratings. The Veteran's sinusitis, tonsillectomy residuals, right wrist Dequervain's syndrome, right ring finger fracture, erectile dysfunction, and right epididymitis status post epididymectomy do not warrant increased ratings. A TDIU is granted from October 1, 2007 to February 28, 2013, and from January 22, 2018 on.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a request for information about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted the December 2019 examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The conditions are now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased diabetes mellitus rating, service connection for GERD, and service connection for a circulatory or vascular disability are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. His peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral feet is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings of right and left leg lumbar radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to service connection for low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease due to the Veteran's death.