Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cataracts, and occasional diplopia due to diabetic ophthalmoplegia. The claims were remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; multiple myeloma; and loss of spleen due to herbicide exposure should be remanded. The claim will require further development to determine if the USS Hancock was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the relevant time period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have been rated as 100% disabling, qualifying him for special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim is dismissed because the criteria are met.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disability (renal toxicity), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, squamous cell carcinoma residuals, post-radiation dermatitis associated with squamous cell carcinoma residuals, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and hearing loss, made him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2008. The effective date for TDIU is set at September 3, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous directive regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to concerns about the adequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a different examiner.

The Board has determined that the May 2012 rating decision is the current appeal, and it remanded for additional development. The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected at the time of the May 2012 rating decision. The Board also noted that there are issues related to secondary service connection for hypertension due to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and/or type II diabetes mellitus, as well as potential aggravation by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as the Veteran's private treatment records from before 2012 are needed.

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I. The case will be returned for further development and an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's neck disability (degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (right olecranon bursitis and degenerative arthritis) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability, to include osteoarthritis of the wrist, is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right hand disability (right elbow disability) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hand disability (osteoarthritis of the wrist) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is remanded to determine if it was aggravated by his third period of active duty or related to his first two periods.

The Board denied a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes with erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's diabetes does not require regulation of activities and his erectile dysfunction has not resulted in any compensable conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, but has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination regarding osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been granted service connection. The claims for vision disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded as they may be related to the diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes and CLL are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides. Service connection for these conditions is granted. The Veteran's OSA, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, is remanded.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and the case is remanded. The claim for service connection for hypertension is also remanded due to its inextricability from the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 30, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from that date.