Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to the assigned effective dates. The cases have been REMANDED for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU. These matters are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection was denied for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection based on direct evidence. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, which is currently rated at 20 percent, remains denied.,The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied.,For the period prior to February 18, 2021, an initial rating of 40 percent for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy of the median and ulnar nerves was granted. For the entire appeal period, a higher rating than 40 percent for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction prior to September 5, 2018 is rated at 20 percent. The separate compensable disability rating for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and small cell lymphoproliferative disorder for further development to address whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left lower extremity disability is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, prostate cancer, and hypertension. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected pancreatitis.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected pancreatitis.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and eye condition are not service-connected and are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and any other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a hip disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbosacral strain.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbosacral strain.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions did not substantially comply with the February 2021 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to ischemic cardiomyopathy and other conditions, but service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides and chemicals in Okinawa, Guam, and the Philippines. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these exposures are linked to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus (type II) due to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, thoracolumbar disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 1, 2014, was also denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as a presumptive disorder related to active military service.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.