Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's testicular cancer and diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include breast cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and glaucoma secondary to diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between diabetes and cooking fumes. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to March 7, 2019 and beginning from that date is denied as the evidence does not support ratings in excess of 20 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent, not meeting the criteria for a higher 20 percent rating. For his peripheral neuropathies, the Board determined that they were primarily manifested by decreased vibration sensation, some decreased light touch sensation, and subjective complaints of tingling in the feet, which is more consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis rather than moderately severe or complete paralysis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while aboard USS America, which may affect his claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 1, 2007. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective July 1, 2007.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder due to lack of evidence of current disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular accident, citing need for further development including verification of exposure.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of entitlement to separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's verified service periods and new medical evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for left shoulder injury, cervical spine disability, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's hepatic cirrhosis and associated complications are rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) secondary to diabetes mellitus should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional information.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and microalbuminuria, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no evidence of restricted diet or activities, ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, or compensable complications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations due to inconsistencies in his current symptomatology and need for clarification on certain issues. The Veteran must be provided with examinations which consider the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and cataracts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, vascular disease of the upper and lower extremities, and skin disorder. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or symptoms of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities has been granted. The effective date is not specified.,The Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and headaches due to herbicide exposure, as well as his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 on a substitute basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, left foot peripheral neuropathy, and right foot peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may have contributed to his obesity, which could be a factor in causing or aggravating his diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea.