Diabetes decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for tinea pedis. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left and right feet, arthritis of the hands, and hypertension.,The Veteran's diagnosed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cause of death was unrelated to service or a service connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and did not reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to December 3, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic skin condition related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II and right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's claims for separate evaluations for diabetic neuropathy were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and an increased rating for multinodular goiter due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA treatment records and potential police reports. The Veteran is required to provide information about any private treatment she received, including physical therapy for her back from Pivot, and authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 or better from June 23, 2010 to January 5, 2015. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for this period.,Effective since January 6, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts resulted in visual acuity of 20/70 or better with right eye visual field defect.

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity since September 6, 2016 was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be bladder cancer, which is presumed service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,The surviving spouse is not entitled to DIC benefits as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a totally disabling condition at any point prior to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inability to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the service records and need for clarification on the Veteran's periods of service, particularly regarding his diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 30, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective advisory opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus prior to December 18, 2009. The matter will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records from Dr. Cook.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.