Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's diabetes has been treated with insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities for management. The evidence supports the currently assigned 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is rated at 50 percent from June 29, 2016 to December 15, 2019. The PTSD rating remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of regulation of activities required for a higher rating. The erectile dysfunction was not separately rated and is considered noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumptively exposed to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama during her period of ACDUTRA. The VA will provide appropriate examinations and determine if there is a relationship between these conditions and the in-service exposures.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disability were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to specific limitations. The diabetes was not rated higher as it did not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no indication from the record that he served in Vietnam and therefore could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. The Board also found that none of his service-connected conditions were a contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and earlier effective dates for various benefits.,His claim for a TDIU rating prior to December 27, 2011, and an effective date prior to December 27, 2011, for basic eligibility to DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 are also pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the cause of death and whether service-connected conditions contributed to it, due to potential herbicide agent exposure. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and vasectomy residuals due to scheduling issues, and for PTSD and hypertension ratings due to lack of VA examinations.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to fully assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and updating VA treatment records. The claims are remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which included acute myocardial infarction due to extensive ischemic heart disease and end-stage renal disease, is related to service exposure. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant regarding the Veteran's exposure to dioxins and lead during service, leading to a finding of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for kidney cancer, left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus II, and right lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus II have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied reopening service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence was not received to establish a relationship between the Veteran's cause of death (respiratory failure) and service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing VA treatment records from his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened due to new evidence showing in-service exposure near the Korean DMZ. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis as he served during the Vietnam Era and his condition is among diseases presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The Veteran's asthma, noted at entry, is service connected as it likely aggravated during service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy and hearing loss/tinnitus. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating from October 23, 2013 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment.