Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right and left toe onychomycosis is at least as likely as not proximately due to, or aggravated beyond its natural progression by, his service-connected diabetes. The claims are otherwise denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity. The Board found that he met the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied an increased rating for hypertension and has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, right and left leg deep vein thrombosis, glaucoma, lung condition, face numbness, and depression. The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus as it was not shown to be related to service, including herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examination report and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral iliac artery aneurysm, right; bilateral iliac artery aneurysm, left; carotid artery occlusive disease; infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm; and removal of spleen due to river flukes as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The issues of service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II (due to herbicide exposure) have been granted.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's condition was manageable with restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, without requiring regulation of activities. The next higher rating (40%) requires one or more daily insulin injections and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II (DM) due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving at Ubon and thus his DM is presumed related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 6, 2016 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his diabetes was also granted.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and has ordered the Veteran's Goldmann visual field charts from specific dates to be obtained. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts is being remanded due to this non-compliance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease (high cholesterol), but denied reopening of his claim for avascular necrosis. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to bipolar disorder, service connection for avascular necrosis, and an increased rating for bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn contributed to his causes of death (CAD and DMII).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA benefits prior to March 1, 2011, finding that he was gainfully employed as a truck driver during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and musculoskeletal chest wall pain or chest wall pain resulting in functional impairment are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The VA has not provided sufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder with sleep impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the loss of tooth #7, but has remanded the issues regarding diabetes mellitus and eye condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for upper respiratory disorder, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II due to unclear opinions in the July 2018 VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it was not readjudicated in light of all service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand.