Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis. The appeals concerning the other conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with impotency, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all rated at 20 percent. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was filed on September 11, 2006. The Board granted an effective date of September 11, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of SMC-AA.

The Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus and tension headaches are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected MDD with an adjustment disorder, with obesity serving as an intermediate step between the two disabilities.,The Veteran's obesity is not a qualifying disability for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and his TDIU claim from August 1, 2013, to October 2, 2017, were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable disability rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete development regarding herbicide exposure. The claims will be further developed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in service, which could affect his claims for heart disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension.

An effective date of October 3, 2014 is granted for the award of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to December 17, 2015 is denied as he was still employed and able to work in his field.

The Veteran's claim for higher levels of SMC is granted on an accrued benefits basis due to his service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for diabetic retinopathy, finding that his visual impairment was not attributable to his service-connected condition and thus no increased rating could be granted.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability due to his withdrawal from the case.,Service connection was denied for back, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus disabilities as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from November 9, 2006 to January 22, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted TDIU since October 4, 2016. The case is remanded for consideration of the claim prior to that date under extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities, including those secondary to diabetes mellitus, are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. However, the Board finds that these conditions have worsened and require further examination.,VA is also requested to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional medical evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or the Agent Orange exposure, and also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, management-level stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits or re-entry into the program.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds the record against a finding that his treatment required a regulation of activities at any point during the appeal.