Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was not properly raised in his initial notice of disagreement and no valid NOD or appeal was filed.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand instructions and additional development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's terminal lung cancer and other service-connected conditions are granted, with a total disability rating for lung cancer. Service connection is granted for thyroidectomy scar, hypertension, and right lung transplant with scar. However, service connection is denied for balance issues, left eyelid cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glaucoma, and bilateral cataracts.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and cataracts from March 8, 2021 is denied. The earlier effective date of TDIU to August 19, 2011 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service at Andersen AFB in Guam, which is necessary for a determination on diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, diabetes mellitus type II, and depression.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for various conditions, including CAD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to his service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his current diagnoses of sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are related to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral lower extremity varicose veins and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA treatment records, a new examination, and completion of forms related to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, hypertension, thyroid condition, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of these conditions during active service or within one year after separation from service.,The Board denied service connection for insomnia, hypertension, thyroid condition, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of these conditions during active service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to secondary service connection. The hernia residuals claim is also remanded for a new VA examination to address limitation of motion. TDIU remains deferred pending further development.

The Veteran died from a head injury in a motor vehicle accident. The cause of death is unclear, as the medical incident (confusion and slurred speech) could be related to a stroke, heart attack, or hypoglycemia. The Board finds that additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's medical condition and incident.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for anxiety/depression and diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary nodule/lung disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence is in equipoise concerning the etiology of these conditions, with a private examiner finding an association between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,Separate ratings are sought for urinary and eye disabilities secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. These issues require additional development including obtaining medical records and clarifying current diagnoses.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of liver transplant is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as secondary to hepatitis C) are granted. The claims for service connection of tinnitus and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to his diabetes mellitus and conceded herbicide exposure. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current diagnosis of type II diabetes.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, chloracne, fungus of the hands and feet, and PTSD are being remanded due to new evidence potentially connecting these conditions to in-service exposure. The AOJ will determine if U.S.S. KEARSARGE (CVS 33) was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during relevant time periods.