Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his claimed former POW status and combat experiences. Additional development is needed, including verifying the Veteran's involvement in special operations incidents and confirming his former POW status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by the Veteran's military service and is not related to his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vocal cord disability has been reopened. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities have been restored to their previous levels. The Veteran's diabetes rating remains at 20 percent, but his TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, service connection for a right ankle condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and herbicides (Agent Orange). The type II diabetes mellitus claim requires a VA medical opinion on whether it is as likely as not related to his presumed exposure. The kidney disease claim also needs clarification from a VA clinician regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service, including potential renal toxicity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the prior decision, which did not obtain all relevant private treatment records and scanned medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the remote onset to service.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for further development and evidence collection. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, stroke with residuals, and sleep apnea have not been substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for diabetes was clear and unmistakable error, restoring it on an aggravation basis based on a preexisting disease aggravated during service.

The Board has found that additional medical examination and opinions are needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, including whether it requires regulation of activities due to diabetes or other conditions. The Board also noted potential relationships between diabetes and heart disability and cerebrovascular disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2013.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Appellant submitted lay statements and medical opinions, but these were found to be cumulative or redundant of previous evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain retrospective opinions regarding erectile dysfunction and neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and he is also granted service connection for diabetic nephropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent under the General Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right knee patellofemoral syndrome (right knee disability), and left knee patellofemoral syndrome (left knee disability) due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's left ankle disability, right ear hearing loss, and Diabetes Mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for an eye disability (claimed as secondary to diabetes) is denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a rectum disability (claimed as carcinoma of distal rectum), to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) with erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 20 percent or 40 percent rating prior to September 22, 2020 and thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity PVD and entitlement to SMC and specially adapted housing based on Aid and Attendance since November 1, 2014 due to incomplete development of evidence.