Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 15, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the remaining issues of diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and sleep apnea. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's diabetes was not found to have caused his TBI, as the evidence did not show hypoglycemic episodes resulting from his diabetes at the time of the accident.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Diabetes mellitus with retinopathy remains at the initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Dubuque and USS Kitty Hawk. The RO is instructed to conduct further research on these vessels' movements and their potential involvement in transporting herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and the need for a medical opinion on the etiology of his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, verification of in-service stressors, and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of sciatic nerve (left and right), and coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and anxiety disorder caused his weight gain, which in turn led to his development of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to May 30, 2017 for various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for disability ratings in excess of the current ratings for certain peripheral neuropathy conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially to his death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and type II diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied because the claimed stressor has not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed latent autoimmune diabetes in adults is etiologically related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, benign prostatic hyperplasia, asthma, and dementia, all claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically Agent Orange. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no more than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level II in the left ear.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the Veteran required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent during the period on appeal.,Prior to March 6, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis (10% rating). Beginning March 6, 2015, it is now rated as 20% disabling for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Prior to March 6, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis (10% rating). Beginning March 6, 2015, it is now rated as 20% disabling for moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy is granted at a 60 percent level, but no higher. The other issues are remanded due to the failure to secure VA treatment records.