Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (femoral) is rated at 20 percent since August 18, 2011. The appeal has been denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure during service. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 10, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hand tremors and left renal cyst are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written correspondence, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, sarcoidosis, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma have been granted an 80% evaluation from July 1, 2009 to February 2, 2015. The rating is continued at 80% until February 13, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2000. The effective date for the TDIU is set at February 1, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing his bilateral lower extremity disability and its relation to service-connected conditions or medications.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), peripheral neuropathy, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as secondary to DMII due to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a chronic condition manifested by memory loss and syncope due to inadequate reasons or bases in the November 2019 decision. The Court held that the Board did not explain why contact with an area identified as an herbicide testing location could expose the Veteran to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity to include as secondary to DMI due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has diabetic retinopathy and if it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, including for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), enlarged prostate, Parkinson's Disease, ischemic heart disease, colon disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served in an area near the Korean DMZ where herbicides were applied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes and diabetic retinopathy are granted as secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.,Her hypertension is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a tumor behind right eardrum have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with COPD is being remanded to determine if it caused his pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus type 2, and osteoarthritis of the hips and knees.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the Board finding that his symptoms prevent him from maintaining such employment.