Diabetes decisions — 2022

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disability is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim for type II diabetes mellitus is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate VA etiological opinions and lack of physical examination. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board seeks an adequate etiological opinion considering the Veteran's ability to participate in diet and exercise over time due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level, which would warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he continued to work as a teacher despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of July 14, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), bilateral flatfoot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating possible in-service exposure. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, with the PACT Act expanding the presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of evidence showing a direct link between his diabetes and death. The effective date for the grant of service connection is September 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The case is being remanded to assign initial ratings and determine eligibility for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical development.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for diabetes mellitus type II, which is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD have been granted service connection. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds the evidence is approximately evenly balanced on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea, ankle disability, and restless leg syndrome are related to service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's impaired balance (dizziness) and cerebrovascular disease do not have current evidence of a disability.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for chloracne remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, including the propriety of reducing her evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent effective July 25, 2018, is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The Veteran does not require regulation of activities to manage his diabetes. As for TDIU, the evidence shows that the Veteran has met the schedular criteria but is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for periodontal disease based on the substitution of the Appellant as the claimant due to lack of compensable dental disability.,The Board remanded the claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetes Mellitus type II, and a kidney disability have been granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for the kidney disability secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.