Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and initial rating for the Veteran's disabilities due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and back condition due to additional development being necessary.,Service connection is denied for cervical condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, heavy metal poisoning due to Gulf War (including renal involvement), and back condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his bilateral hearing loss issue remains remanded. The Board has also determined that the left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, should be remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and open angle glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy and right eye blindness were granted. The issues of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and right eye blindness are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral mixed astigmatism and presbyopia, and dental condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes type II, and peripheral neuropathy in bilateral feet have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and femoral nerve disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran is requested to provide names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, and a left eyelid disability due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. Additional medical opinions are needed in each case.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are rated at 40 percent, effective August 18, 2011. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity (femoral) diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also rated at 40 percent, effective August 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (claimed as Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal varices), and service connection based on secondary to service-connected conditions. Additional VA treatment records were recently obtained and must be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's kidney stones are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected hypertension and diabetes, but a new medical opinion is needed to determine if they were aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service chemical exposure and the need for a VA opinion on the etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various diabetic neuropathies have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 22, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment of compensation under that criterion. The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran is permanently and substantially confined to his home due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.