Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergies, a lumbar spine disability, right leg and left leg disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), endometriosis, headaches, multiple sclerosis (MS), right shoulder strain, and an ear disability have been denied. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergies, a lumbar spine disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), endometriosis, headaches, multiple sclerosis (MS), and right shoulder strain have all been denied.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's diagnosed right shoulder pinched nerve.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted effective September 30, 2014. The criteria for both were met as of that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, specifically addressing whether the November 2001 claim was for compensation or pension, and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, TDIU prior to November 16, 2012, and ratings for bilateral lower extremities diabetic neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves. The Veteran's right knee disability was not related to his active service, and his diabetes-related disabilities did not render him unemployable or unable to work.

The DIC benefits claim is denied because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. The service connection for cause of death is remanded to determine if the Veteran's arrhythmia and congestive heart failure can be characterized as ischemic heart disease, and whether his type II diabetes caused or aggravated his renal insufficiency.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability (claimed as glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II) because the evidence did not support a finding that it was proximately due to or aggravated by another service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were remanded and are now before the Board again. The diabetes claim was denied, while the nephrology and transient ischemic attack claims resulted in a remand.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral uveitis and diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected uveitis. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran developed diabetes due to her use of steroid medication for her uveitis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for myofascial pain of the paraspinal muscles of the neck is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus prior to May 10, 2011 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, atherosclerotic heart disease, bilateral loss of vision, a bilateral leg disability, neuropathy of the back, right shoulder disability, abdominal aneurysm, and kidney disease. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, which could potentially establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance as of June 5, 2018. His effective date for SMC based on this condition is now confirmed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral diabetic retinopathy with left eye clinically significant macular edema, finding that neither condition warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetic neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II) render him unemployable due to physical limitations. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's death by suicide is being remanded for further review due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of his death, including consideration of service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as he does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded cases related to service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and retinopathy. The primary issue is whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his naval service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease claim is remanded for further development.