Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric results did not warrant a compensable disability rating.,The Board remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus and skin cancer due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's exposure during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, chronic anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, warranting a TDIU beginning on December 11, 2013. However, the claim is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted secondary service connection for cataracts to diabetes mellitus. The decision also found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not the cause of his bilateral pseudophakia (cataract removal).

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ or near Freedom Bridge. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he was exposed to herbicides due to his brothers having similar health issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type I and intracranial atherosclerosis as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea, Grave's disease, and bowel disability (diverticulosis and functional gastrointestinal disorder) are also not service connected due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The DM and TDIU claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims are granted beginning December 4, 2015. The VA has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and service connection for renal dysfunction.

The Veteran's cervical strain and DJD of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, as they are less likely than not caused by or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for right shoulder DJD is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for a right inguinal hernia is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, and he was exposed at Eglin Air Force Base. His claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Board has found that the remand directives were not substantially complied with, and thus the case is being returned to VA for further action. Specifically, an additional medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or contributed to his obesity, which in turn may have caused his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. However, further development is needed due to a lack of an addendum VA medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to October 3, 2013. The Veteran is required to provide details of his employment and any accommodations provided by his employers.

The Board denied service connection for urinary/prostate problems, diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder. The case is returned to the RO for further development and adjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus II and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, leading to a grant of presumptive service connection.