Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and thyroid disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with exposure to asbestos and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune as potential causes.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lower extremity diabetic ulcers has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, hypertension, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and lumbar radiculopathy. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy, to include hypertension, is rated at 100 percent since November 30, 2014. Special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted from the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhagic pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

The Veteran's reflux condition is granted a separate 10 percent rating, but no greater. The Veteran does not have diabetic retinopathy or peripheral artery disease secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran’s restrictive lung disease is found not caused by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Navy service in Vietnam. The condition was found to have manifested to a degree of at least 10% after separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, lung cancer, and vision loss due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand or Vietnam. The development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts and diabetic retinopathy have been rated at 30 percent since November 18, 2019. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,An additional VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria due to incomplete development. The VA examiner must provide a retrospective medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes during the appellate period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, but has remanded the issues of diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and impaired fasting glucose was granted. Service connection is also granted for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to determine his employability prior to March 8, 2017.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, a request to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for a right leg disability, and a right hand disability. The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further examination and opinion. The residuals of the left tibia fracture are also remanded for an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence showing it began during or was related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, effective July 23, 2019.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were each rated at 20 percent, effective July 23, 2019. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence showing it began during or was related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were reopened on new evidence but the conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not otherwise related to service.