Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to a duty to assist error. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess all diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure and medical opinions are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Okinawa.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied a rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not related to his military service, and his hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches associated with TBI are rated at 50 percent effective September 22, 2020. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss beginning January 3, 2019 is granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss from March 23, 2012 to August 30, 2013 is denied. Service connection for a heart disability including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and anemia are all denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for Diabetes Mellitus and associated Erectile Dysfunction, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 29, 2017. The effective dates for service connection of Erectile Dysfunction and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ were granted but no earlier than May 3, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development related to verification of the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Thailand, and for extraschedular consideration of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, urinary dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents, but the evidence does not support a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and the relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease are denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy are rated at 30 percent each from June 27, 2019 to December 9, 2020. The Tension Disability (TDIU) claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in not obtaining all relevant service treatment and personnel records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for obesity as it is not considered a disease or injury for which direct or secondary service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no underlying AOJ decision for review due to the Veteran not filing a timely VA Form 10182 (Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement)) on the issue of the propriety of the AOJ's January 2020 severance of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both legs, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, and a skin disorder due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.