Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The increased rating claim for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Board has found that the VA's development for the issue of a disability rating more than 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus was not substantially complied with. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran must avoid strenuous activity to not exacerbate his diabetic symptoms. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a disability rating for diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet are granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for a dental disorder on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma and its relationship to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for glaucoma, which may be related to exposure to herbicides or sewage, but also potentially aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his diabetes and either his military service or any service-connected disability. The Board also found that obesity, which is not related to his service-connected disabilities, did not cause his diabetes.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and review, including those related to left knee, shoulder, back, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. The issues are all secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 12, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluation for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and initial compensable evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. His diabetes mellitus, type II with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of the left eye, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and diabetic chronic kidney disease are all granted or remanded as appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy of the left arm, diabetic neuropathy of the left leg, diabetic neuropathy of the right arm, diabetic neuropathy of the right leg, and hypertension as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

Service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer is granted due to the PACT Act of 2022.,The PACT Act extends presumptive service connection for these conditions based on exposure in Guam during a qualifying period.

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

The appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD beginning December 20, 2017 is dismissed.,A 70 percent evaluation is granted prior to December 20, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and insufficient VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and tinnitus, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. His TDIU is granted as of January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, and his left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, but has remanded the claim for a psychiatric disability (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss is denied, and a TDIU prior to June 24, 2021, is granted.