Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous directives. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being reviewed for secondary service connection.

Effective dates of December 19, 2012, are granted for the establishment of service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.,From July 27, 2011, to February 25, 2020, an initial schedular rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been granted. The left knee condition and psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Thailand, which is required for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the assistance of another person in meeting his daily needs such as dressing, preparing meals, and medication management. The Veteran is granted SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person but denied spousal aid and attendance compensation.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy were granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral cataracts with dry eyes to include right orbital, anterior, supermedial, extraconal vascular malformation (claimed as bilateral eye condition); and high cholesterol have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, finding that the Veteran's diabetes preexisted her active service and did not have a nexus to her service-connected costochondritis. The claim for service connection for proliferative diabetic retinopathy was also denied as new evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a heart condition and sarcoidosis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, and a bilateral eye disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Panama, specifically Agent Orange. The claim will be reviewed again with a new request for verification and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to PTSD and hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for diabetes mellitus, type 2; loss of vision and use of a creative organ (likely referring to hand function); loss of fingernails; peripheral neuropathy; circulatory condition of the legs; bilateral hearing loss; stroke and related complications; and PTSD.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as presumed due to herbicide agent exposure. The skin cancer claim is remanded for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral below-the-knee amputations resulting from bilateral Charcot foot, claiming improper treatment of a right foot/ankle injury due to delay in diagnosis and noncompliance with diabetes treatments.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations regarding these claims were inadequate and remanded for further action. The Veteran's hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye blindness, back disability, right hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability (depression) are all being reviewed due to their inextricable connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2013. The Board granted TDIU as of that date.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was restored, and the reduction in his diabetes mellitus rating from 40% to 20% effective March 1, 2014, was reversed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,Service connection for cataracts has been remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The Veteran needs to provide more detailed information about his claimed exposure and an additional request must be made with JSRRC.