Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type I, coronary artery disease, neuropathy, and bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete development. The claims are inextricably intertwined with his increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for high cholesterol and an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient evidence to confirm his alleged exposure during his service in Thailand. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU for accrued purposes.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and other service-connected conditions have been granted increased ratings, and a TDIU has been granted for the period from June 10, 2011 to April 22, 2013. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied DIC benefits because the cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence supporting Agent Orange exposure. The claim cannot be reopened as new evidence has not been presented.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 2, 2006 to May 27, 2011. TDIU was granted effective October 2, 2006.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's diabetes insipidus and adrenal failure/insufficiency are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's hypoparathyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's osteoporosis and glaucoma are currently not service connected, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, chronic otitis externa, diabetes mellitus type II, colon polyps, residuals of a neck tumor excision, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The issues are related to new evidence that reopened these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, sleep apnea, a disability manifested by high cholesterol (to include residuals of a stroke), and diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves has been granted initial ratings of 40 percent, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran is also awarded TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective April 25, 2020 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disorder was granted in March 2020, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because the claim has been granted. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence received after a final denial. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is established, but there is no competent evidence linking his hearing loss or diabetes to this exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and stroke residuals, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for glaucoma to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete examination reports and a need to address the correlation between diabetes and glaucoma.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but not due to a pending claim for heart condition. The Board denied the SMC based on aid and attendance.