Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was denied for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no established in-service incurrence or a link between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the previous denial of service connection for eye disorders, including cataracts and nuclear sclerosis, is not final due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current eye conditions and his military service or any related exposures.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, erectile dysfunction is not compensable, and the lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are each rated at 20 percent prior to February 14, 2022, and 40 percent since that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.

The appeal of the service connection claims for multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that new evidence supports reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was dismissed as a matter of law because the earliest possible effective date has already been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and tinnitus, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities, finding that the conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Malmstrom Air Force Base and radiation exposure in missile silos, leading to a remand for further development.

Effective September 1, 2010, the Veteran is granted separate ratings of 10% for RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, finding that his condition was manageable and did not require regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to a duty to assist error in verifying the Veteran's exposure to groundwater contaminants at Fort Lee.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand. The effective date of the decision is the date of enactment of the claim.

The Veteran's disability rating for major depressive disorder was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective November 1, 2019. The reduction was proper as the symptoms showed sustained improvement on reexamination. His diabetes mellitus remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected conditions, but rather to non-service connected disabilities like Parkinson's disease. As a result, the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and then increased to 30 percent from that date onwards. A TDIU was granted effective July 24, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. Prior to this, a 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, stroke residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of direct service connection or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Board found that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins linked to these conditions. The Veteran's heart condition is presumed to have existed prior to service, and he has not provided credible evidence linking it to service. His diabetes mellitus and stroke residuals are not considered presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. The peripheral neuropathy was first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere's disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.