Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy in both hands, and erectile dysfunction. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eye conditions and their relation to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and prostate adenocarcinoma were granted, but the rating for prostate adenocarcinoma was only granted from February 11, 2016. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 16, 2005, when he was granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The earlier effective date is based on the date of receipt of his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities prior to November 5, 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and the initial rating for diabetic nephropathy is granted at 30 percent effective July 15, 2014. The Veteran does not have a service connection theory related to exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction are denied, but he is granted effective dates of October 17, 2010, for service connection and SMC.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to February 23, 2012 is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's loss of front bottom teeth may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes and remanded this issue for further examination.

The Board dismissed the issues of earlier effective dates for a 100 percent rating for diabetes mellitus and right leg chronic thrombophlebitis with venous insufficiency, as the Veteran did not appeal the March 2006 decision granting these ratings.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents during service and there was no medical opinion linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Korea. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral cataracts and diabetes mellitus, type II, were denied. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and a TDIU prior to December 2, 2014 has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the claims for service connection of hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disorder, and sleep apnea before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities was established since May 25, 2016. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, left zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture, TDIU, and DEA are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type I, bilateral eye disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to issues related to exposure during service and secondary service connection.