Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for evaluation of left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, and hypertension due to potential service connection issues. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. The examiner should consider all theories of entitlement as well as the Veteran's lay statements and medical articles.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from December 21, 2020 onward due to the combined effects of service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to a medical record inconsistency.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides during service. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's reported work as a courier and handling contaminated equipment from Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for heart condition, COPD, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. The case is now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastric ulcer and diabetes mellitus type II.,The Board found that there was no ankylosis or instability in the Veteran's left ankle, which precluded a higher rating. The case is now remanded to provide addendum opinions addressing whether any current gastrointestinal disorder and/or diabetes mellitus were proximately caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, DM, and CAD) prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus due to potential secondary relationship with service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete reasoning. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disability is not service-connected, but may be related to his active service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection and evaluation for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for migraine headaches, but diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence it manifested within one year of separation from active service. The appeal for OSA secondary to tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right upper extremity neurologic impairment (left hand numbness), left upper extremity neurologic impairment (left hand numbness), and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate have been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches from TBI, low back strain, bilateral hearing loss with nonsuppurative otitis media, diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, hemorrhoids, residuals of TBI, and other conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were granted service connection as they became manifest within one year of his separation from active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to the need for further medical opinions.