Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran was denied service connection for liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease for accrued benefits purposes.,There is no evidence linking the disabilities to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for sinusitis is denied.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is denied.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to August 26, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity for the period beginning August 26, 2014, are denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to August 26, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity for the period beginning August 26, 2014, are denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity prior to September 7, 2021, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, are denied.,A 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, and a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, are granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic headaches prior to July 22, 2013, is denied. A rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic headaches for the period beginning July 22, 2013, is also denied.

The Veteran's right leg below the knee amputation is rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for an increased rating under DC 5164. The decision does not address any other conditions or theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically pain he suffered as a result of those conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and knee conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and neuropathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The left knee injury and migraine headaches remain in dispute.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and adjustment disorder with depressed mood have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 26, 2007.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the cause of death (respiratory failure due to severe COPD) is not service-connected. The Board has remanded for further analysis regarding whether COPD and IHD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and additional evidence from his therapist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran needs to be provided proper notice of scheduled examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to perform basic self-care functions or be in need of regular aid and assistance from others. The Board also found no evidence of housebound status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The case is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical information regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obesity, which may affect his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before May 15, 2018, or for a 100 percent rating thereafter. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected as it did not start during his military service or within one year of separation. The Board found no evidence linking the diabetes to any in-service exposure, including herbicide agent exposure, TCE exposure, or extreme cold exposure.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and impairment of the right tibia and fibula are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.,The Veteran's impairment of the right tibia and fibula is also being remanded for further examination to determine its current severity.,The Veteran's liver disability, kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disability are being remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection will be considered on a direct basis as well as presumptively based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's leukemia is also being remanded for further examination to determine its current severity and whether it is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.