Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service, including herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran did not serve within the offshore eligible waters as defined by law.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its connection to service-connected conditions. The appellant asserts that the Veteran's diabetes and acute coronary insufficiency were caused or aggravated by his use of prescribed medication and alcohol for treatment of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, bilateral kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic eye/visual disorder and chronic headaches were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was granted for a current diagnosis of fibrocystic breast disability with a rating of 10%.

The appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed.,PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, but no higher.,Right lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve remains at 20 percent.,Left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve remains at 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve has been granted a 20 percent rating.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve has been granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not have onset during or within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure that could cause the current condition.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or being related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The diagnosis was made post-service.,There is no diagnosed bilateral eye condition due to service or service-connected disease or injury.,The Veteran's kidney condition is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service and there is no evidence showing its relation to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,There is no diagnosed skeletal arthritis or gout due to service or service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating as regulation of activities was not required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ear hearing loss, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating is at least 70 percent due to these conditions, he has been granted total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TBI residuals, diabetes mellitus, peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral legs, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and respiratory disability are granted. The Veteran's left eye photophobia and right eye photophobia are denied.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, left index finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia, anxiety, and depression), IBS, and DM II.,The Veteran did not provide evidence of current disabilities at the time of the September 2020 decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding no current diagnosis of the condition related to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of April 2, 2019 for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also granted an effective date of April 2, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as they affect his ability to perform daily activities and protect himself from hazards.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, and coronary artery disease. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 29, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. However, his bilateral eye disability may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and a VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been remanded. His claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities have also been remanded.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's hand disability and its relation to service, diabetes, or herbicide exposure. A new VA examination is needed to clarify these issues.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's initial claim was received on February 22, 2016, and no earlier effective date is warranted.