Diabetes decisions — 2022

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for sinus problems, a bilateral hand disability, and an eye disability is granted.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for high cholesterol is denied. The petition to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder and related medications.

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities. The increased rating, SMC, and TDIU claims are remanded as the Veteran's private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disability due to potential herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran's unit was not found to have served near the DMZ in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his request for TDIU was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities on his employability. The matter is now referred back for a VA examination and further analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to the Veteran's obesity being a substantial factor in causing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active service.,Service connection was remanded for diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are incomplete and remands for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his low back disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to reopen and for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include secondary to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's new or additional disabilities, including diverticulitis and anastomotic leak complications, were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA during his June 1, 2010 sigmoidectomy at Huntington VAMC. The Board found that these disabilities were proximately caused by VA treatment and granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and denied entitlement to a higher rate of Special Monthly Compensation based on loss of vision. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting the Veteran's contentions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus were not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to insufficient information regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to confirm or deny his alleged exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death due to right ventricular failure, and the Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma (now diagnosed as ocular hypertension) and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.