Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart murmur and diabetes mellitus type II were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a heart murmur, and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected conditions cause or aggravate his weight gain and obesity.

The Veteran's diabetes and heart disability are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. The right hand, left hand, and residuals of pneumonia claims are denied.

The Board has restored service connection for the listed conditions due to clear and unmistakable error in severing them.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 28, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital was denied because the VA facility (Fort Harrison Emergency Room) was feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, specifically a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities aggravated his obesity and if that aggravation caused or contributed to his diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, and the Board is remanding to determine if his exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water during service contributed to these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a 40% rating. Ratings of 20% were granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities prior to March 31, 2016 and for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremity (radial nerves) prior to September 8, 2020.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as presumptively related to his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for frequent urination (genitourinary disability) secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea is presumed, and his peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical care at Memorial Medical Center on February 11, 2014, is reimbursed due to the severity of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus are denied as there were no prior, unadjudicated claims.,PTSD was granted with an initial rating from April 17, 2015 to May 30, 2018, and a higher rating than 10 percent for tinnitus is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.,The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence of a need for aid and attendance that meet some of the required criteria and not all must be met to warrant the benefit. The Veteran's spouse also requires aid and attendance due to her disabilities.

The Board has found that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, colon cancer and respiratory disability (asbestosis). The Veteran's exposure to chemicals during service may not be conceded based on his naval service as there is no suggestion of herbicide exposure. However, these disabilities can still be awarded based on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for various conditions, and a TDIU. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD since August 12, 2016, but remanded other issues including service connection for DM2 and HTN, IBS, CFS, fibromyalgia, and OSA.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type I diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy due to procedural issues, inadequate opinions regarding etiology, and the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's death was caused by end-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C and alcohol use. Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his hepatitis C or other service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The conditions are found to be due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.