Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for dermatomyositis, eye conditions secondary to medication taken for dermatomyositis, and diabetes mellitus, type II secondary to medication taken for dermatomyositis. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for OSA, kidney stones, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) with complications, impotency, and diabetic nephropathy as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was not found to have been exposed to herbicides in Panama.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for histoplasmosis, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current diagnoses and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 31, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and hysterectomy due to new evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted effective dates of January 15, 2014.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the cause of death and service connection for the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a skin disorder and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 2, 2019 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter for diabetic retinopathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic nephrology does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as it does not result in persistent edema, creatinine at or above 4 mg%, BUN greater than 80 mg%, markedly decreased function of kidney or other organ systems, or need for regular dialysis. The Veteran's condition is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded as the RO has not adjudicated these claims yet.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, which includes diabetic retinopathy, senile nuclear sclerosis, and vitreous floaters. The VA is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and multiple neuropathies, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and upper extremities, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches effective May 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, and related peripheral neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied. Claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes due to a failure of VA to assist in verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, and a heart disorder due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure to herbicides through the JSRRC and obtain a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and remanded other issues including service connection for bilateral eye disorders, other than a pterygium, and an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits.