Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease and a TDIU due to unemployability, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The VA must provide the Veteran with updated examination results and information about the November 2019 examiner's qualifications. Additionally, the VA must obtain SSA records and refer the TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the need for a new opinion regarding his service-connected knee disability, as well as the need to obtain VA treatment records from DeBakey VAMC.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory failure, bacteremia, septic shock, and bacterial pneumonia. The Board is remanding the case due to insufficient evidence regarding his service in Vietnam or Taiwan and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and eczema due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange at a Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no medical evidence to suggest a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has restored the 40 percent rating for type I diabetes mellitus and denied a higher than 40 percent rating. The restoration is based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus), and bilateral eye disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a compulsive eating disorder as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of an eating disorder separate from the Veteran's service-connected conditions.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was also denied as secondary to the claimed eating disorder or service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current eating disorder and concluded that diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C. � 1805 and 1815, finding that he does not have a form of spina bifida other than occulta and his mother is not a Vietnam veteran.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, benign prostatic hyperplasia (previously high PSA), hemorrhoids, itching problem of the hands and feet, and onychomycosis as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DM II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and cataracts, have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's hypertension is worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and if diabetic nephropathy is present.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The Board also requested verification of exposure to herbicide agents or other types of defoliants during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic renal insufficiency and diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 23, 2021.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and coronary heart disease is granted.,Service connection for stroke residuals as secondary to DMII is granted. Service connection for loss of sense of smell and taste are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they are not secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The case is remanded for further development regarding refractive error of the left eye.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, hip, and liver disorders, as well as hypertension, have been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The VA is instructed to attempt verification of these exposures and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.