Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete opinions and further development is required.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus has been granted. Service connection for panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted at a 70% rating prior to January 7, 2019, but denied thereafter.,The Veteran's TDIU claim related to his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia is also pending.

Effective April 8, 2014, the Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.,Effective April 5, 2021, the Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder, diabetic neuropathy affecting lower extremities, and overall disability rating.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and right upper extremity as these conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. A 10% disability rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss effective May 23, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error in prior rating decisions, and requests that new evidence be provided for service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for vision problems, claimed as secondary to pre-diabetic (diabetes mellitus, type 2), due to a lack of an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type 2, resulting from exposure to Agent Orange in service is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had presumptive herbicide agent exposure as a result of his service in the Republic of Vietnam and has been diagnosed with, and treated for, diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and diabetic neuropathy necessitate the use of knee braces, which cause damage to his clothing. The Board has granted a clothing allowance for these knee braces in calendar year 2020.

The Veteran's ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were reduced to zero percent, effective April 7, 2020. The rating for bilateral flat feet was restored to a 30 percent rating effective April 7, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, liver bile duct cancer, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and multiple types of peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of December 20, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of his physical and psychiatric conditions has made it impossible for him to engage in any form of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his polyarthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains in dispute as it was previously denied based on herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for a VA examination to consider the Veteran's new theory of cadmium exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for dermatographism has been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU prior to April 28, 2009. The AOJ is required to refer the case for extraschedular consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of actual exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his time at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to hazardous chemicals while stationed at Dugway Proving Ground in service. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to evaluate the nature and likely etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death is being considered based on presumed Agent Orange exposure.