Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 27, 2012 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 have all been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, which is a necessary step before determining service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, which may be related to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus type two.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (previously rated as diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy and retinopathy) is denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran requires regulation of his activities due to diabetes, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by VA negligence in administering potassium, resulting in aspiration and pneumonia. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise and granted DIC benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye condition (cataracts) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other basis for service connection.

The Board has restored service connection for Diabetes Mellitus with Erectile Dysfunction and Ischemic Heart Disease, finding the prior severance decision was improper due to incorrect exposure information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are likely to prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings in various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic neuropathy is remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 2010 decision.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes was not shown as chronic in service or within one year following separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran's diabetes is less likely than not caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claim for BPH was denied. For the initial rating period prior to November 3, 2014, his right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were each rated at 10%. Beginning November 3, 2014, a 20% rating was granted for both conditions. A TDIU was granted effective April 18, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in previous VA opinions. The Veteran's claims for throat disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and a disorder characterized by trembling and tingling of the fingers are being returned to the AOJ for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to active duty. The Veteran's hypertension is already service-connected, so any new findings on these conditions will be considered in conjunction with his existing condition.

For the initial rating period from March 31, 2008 to November 24, 2010, a disability rating higher than 10 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied.,From November 24, 2010 onwards, a disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied.,For the initial rating period from March 31, 2008 to September 6, 2016, a disability rating higher than 20 percent for left upper extremity (LUE) peripheral neuropathy and right upper extremity (RUE) peripheral neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, shoulder injury, and diabetes prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation between December 20, 2002, and March 27, 2007. The Board granted Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective as of March 27, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hernia of the abdomen and groin, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral arthritis of the knees and arms due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical lumbar spine syndrome with left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.