Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is proximately due to, related to, or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes, and TDIU prior to May 13, 2019. The issues are being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is secondary to his service-connected Parkinson’s Disease and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities are rated at 20 percent each, but no higher. Service connection for a right foot condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and low back disability as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding peripheral neuropathy in the extremities and retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period from September 30, 2020. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding his GERD claim, right knee instability, and TDIU prior to September 30, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sudden death syndrome, congestive heart failure, hypertension, right upper extremity myopathy, and diabetes mellitus due to issues with the adequacy of the opinions provided in September 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because additional evidence was added to the file without consideration by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is presumed. Service connection was also granted on a secondary basis due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition (triple bypass surgery), left leg amputation, right leg amputation, kidney disease, and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to April 12, 2017. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus requires only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is remanded due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's initial rating for sleep disorder/insomnia prior to January 1, 2006 is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The issue of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus secondary to the sleep disorder/insomnia is remanded.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints are granted a 20% disability rating each, while his diabetes mellitus is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no direct evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer as they are related to herbicide exposure due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective January 21, 2010. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.