Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the VA's remand instructions were not substantially complied with, and thus another remand is necessary to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy; hypertension; and CAD, to include as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 8, 2010. The Board has granted the TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted since May 25, 2016 due to his service-connected macular degeneration of both eyes. The Board found that the Veteran required regular aid and assistance in preparing meals, feeding himself, managing medications and money, and needed personal assistance with other activities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is found to be the primary cause of her insomnia, and she is already in receipt of a 30% rating for anemia. The claims for fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus type II, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and mouth trauma are remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and testing to determine the current severity of the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus (DM), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions, and failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements and medical articles.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based solely on his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) as it did not meet the criteria of being unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied. His bilateral hearing loss received a temporary increase to 90% from April 8, 2019 to January 16, 2020 and then his claim for an increased rating beyond that point was denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg as there was no evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for breathing problems (sleep apnea), diabetes mellitus, type II, and left leg condition have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.,For the right peroneal nerve impairment with foot drop, the Veteran was granted the highest possible schedular rating based on his existing disability. For the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee condition, the Veteran's claims were denied as there is no evidence that they are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not service connected as it did not manifest during his active duty and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Guam could not be granted due to lack of credible evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an error in not considering exposure to commercial herbicides used during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent effective December 8, 2020. The Board has remanded the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional visual field testing, which is required to determine the current severity of service-connected diabetic cataracts.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability required treatment with insulin or oral medication, and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities during any portion of the period on appeal. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability, kidney disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and attempting to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of proper development in previous decisions.