Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stroke residuals, finding that there is no evidence of a direct link to his military service or secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's stroke to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and diabetes mellitus for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disability and TDIU prior to December 30, 2008 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records and provide an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ankle disability have been granted. The heart disability claim has been denied as the evidence does not show more than one episode of congestive heart failure in the past year, a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. The diabetes claim has been denied as the evidence does not show that his diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet or hypoglycemic agents and restricted diet.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent, effective June 21, 2016.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective June 21, 2016.,The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, effective June 21, 2016.,The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, effective June 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders (ALS and PSP), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including VA and private treatment notes from October 2018 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing the Veteran's lay statements and his testimony during a hearing, as well as VA not obtaining all relevant medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for release of any private medical records from specific providers.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus have been withdrawn.,Claims of service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder (to include depression), right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and bilateral eye disability (exotropia) have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is causally related to herbicide agent exposure, including through contaminated food or drink. The examiner must consider the August 2013 registry examination note where the Veteran reported eating food or drinking liquids that could have been contaminated with herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg venous stasis secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII), finding that the Veteran's amputation was likely due to complications from DMII, including poor circulation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has remanded all eight service connection claims due to the need for additional information regarding the qualifications of the VA medical professional who conducted a November 2017 Gulf War examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, an eye disability (including cataracts), diabetes mellitus, and anxiety disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control but has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for low back disorder as secondary to left ankle disability or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding the presence of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents during active service, and there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently confine him to his immediate premises, so he is denied special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound.