Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right elbow disability is granted a 60 percent rating after May 12, 2021. His diabetes mellitus type 2 is denied any increased ratings.

The Veteran's death is not considered to be due to a service-connected disability, as the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met. The cause of death is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and kidney failure for further development due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the U.S.S. Gallant in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for his neck condition. His request to reopen the claim for service connection for lymphedema of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted, and he is now presumptively entitled to service connection for this condition due to a latent filarial infection incurred during service in the Philippines. The diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded as they depend on whether the Veteran had qualifying service in the Republic of Vietnam or not. His respiratory condition claim is also remanded for additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and heart disability due to in-service high cholesterol as there were insufficient efforts made to obtain the Veteran's service records, including travel records. Additionally, a new medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including an eye condition, respiratory failure and lung cancer, hypertension, liver condition, skin disability, Grave's disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and left eye disability as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and headaches. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disorder, and an eye disorder due to incomplete VA examinations and failure to comply with remand directives.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, cardiac disability (including heart palpitations), and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are denied. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of current GERD, hypertension, and cataracts.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and SMC were previously remanded by the Board, but have been returned to the Board due to a Court Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).,For the period prior to July 21, 2009, the Veteran was not found unemployable based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The claims for increased rating and service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. Service connection for a renal disability is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposed discontinuance of service connection for diabetic neuropathy in both upper extremities was not implemented, and thus premature.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to a need for an examination.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling, and an increased rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is currently evaluated at 50 percent, and an increased rating is not warranted.,An initial 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is granted, but no higher.,An initial 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is granted, but no higher.