Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of records showing initial diagnosis in 1995. The Veteran needs to provide information about where he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and any relevant treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (femoral nerve) is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been essentially granted in full.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (femoral nerve), prior to December 23, 2021, and from that date in excess of 20 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Board granted service connection for the other conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus and service connection for a left knee condition was denied. The Board found no evidence of regulation of activities required for the higher ratings, and no credible link between any current disability and service.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for bowel incontinence, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. For his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was granted a 40% disability rating effective October 14, 2021. The initial ratings for RLE and LLE diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts, effective February 23, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and right shoulder condition have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back condition, hypertension, left hip and right hip conditions, skin disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), and non-healing surgical wound. The appeals were not granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, as the disability has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's CAD was rated at 60 percent since March 23, 2015, due to renal dysfunction with constant proteinuria (albuminuria) and persistent edema. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's urinary infrequency and diabetic nephropathy were granted a 60 percent rating since March 23, 2015, due to renal dysfunction with constant proteinuria (albuminuria) and persistent edema. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was granted a 20 percent rating since November 4, 2016. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was denied an initial compensable rating prior to November 4, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve was denied an initial compensable rating prior to November 4, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve was denied an initial compensable rating prior to November 4, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the musculocutaneous (superficial peroneal) nerve was denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's skin disorder was not service-connected, as it is not considered to be a result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active duty or caused by a service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's ED was not service-connected, as it is not considered to be a result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active duty or caused by a service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's non-healing surgical wound was not service-connected, as it is not considered to be a result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active duty or caused by a service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's amputation of right toes numbers three, four, and five is granted as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease and hypertensive heart disease. The claim for diabetes mellitus (DM), type II, is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's liver disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to a decision.,Service connection for Hepatitis B was denied in the December 1991 rating decision, and the Veteran's request for revision on CUE was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes is denied as there is no current diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral cataracts due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and brain cancer, as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims will be remanded pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and verification of exposure. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, weakened immune system, hypothyroidism, migraines, and diabetes mellitus are all under review.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity on a secondary basis and as due to herbicide agent exposure is denied.,The Veteran's claim for skin disorder (claimed as chloracne, manifested by rashes) on a secondary basis and as due to herbicide agent exposure is denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, dysentery, and malaria. Service connection was granted for jungle rot, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy.,Service connection for duodenal ulcers, skin cancer, and a prostate disability is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. However, these claims are still being remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure.,His peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities and upper extremities are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,His diabetic retinopathy is also secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,His erectile dysfunction is also secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are not currently diagnosed, but if diagnosed, would be considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.