Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease due to herbicide exposure. The claims are also being remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current lung disability is related to in-service asthma or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis and a right-hand condition are granted. The claim for diabetes is denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fusion of the right wrist remains pending due to lack of ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been dismissed.,New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, which is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes is found to be the cause of his current diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), and therefore, he is granted service connection for PAD.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and anxiety due to pending development of the claims.

Your claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II have already been granted in a March 2020 rating decision. The Board has dismissed your appeal as these grants of service connection constitute a full award of the benefits sought.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes is granted. The claims for service connection for coronary artery disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including verification of asbestos exposure during service and an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure in Guam, and additional development is needed.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension as her medical evidence did not support her contention that she needs regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance status was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim.,The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC due to loss of use of bilateral hands was also denied, as the evidence did not show that his upper extremities were so diminished as to require amputation with prosthetic.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his service-connected disabilities are related or aggravated by each other.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his respiratory condition (COPD), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no evidence of a nexus between his active duty service and his current condition. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service and no competent medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee arthritis and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease. However, the appeal regarding lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to unclear evidence.

The Veteran's claims for venous insufficiency, fatigue in the legs, an enlarged testicle, and soft tissue sarcoma have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction (as secondary to prostate cancer), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thyroid disorder, tremors, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gout, and kidney disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical spine disability, radiculopathy pain, diabetes mellitus type II, and ankle disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide additional medical records for consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to a lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and his TDIU prior to June 26, 2017 were both denied. The evidence did not show the severity of the Veteran’s condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.