Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a low back disability and right shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 3, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disability, Crohn's disease, and insulin dependent diabetes due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted service connection based on direct evidence. The claim for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations. Service connection for psychiatric disability is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability (left ventricular hypertrophy), and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep disability, joint pain (claimed as fibromyalgia), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but more evidence is needed to determine this connection.

The Board has vacated the portion of its October 14, 2020 decision that denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria. The decision is held in abeyance to allow submission of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, TDIU prior to October 30, 2018, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, migraine headaches, and bilateral upper extremity twitching fingers due to potential service connection issues not adequately addressed in previous opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis (claimed as arthritis of the whole body) due to lack of evidence of a current disability. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that these disabilities were caused by an event or illness during active service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction associated with type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found no direct causation of these conditions during active service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a skin rash on the Veteran's head and chest, both claimed as resulting from exposure to herbicide agents. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and that the conditions did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. However, the issue of service connection for anterior cortical cataract, right eye with NLP as secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the cases for further development regarding his renal condition(s) and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to May 15, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for increased evaluations or service connection. The Board denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease and denied all issues related to diabetic polyneuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction.