Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him homebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable evaluation when mechanically applying the diagnostic criteria to the audiological testing results, and his complaint of difficulty hearing is contemplated by the rating schedule.,The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the U.S.S. Enterprise was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam from May 1967 to March 20, 1968, which would trigger VA's duty to assist him by providing him a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided that service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, migraines, left hand disorder, and neuropathy of the right leg.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), neuropathy of the right hand and left foot, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate disorder, and a right eye disorder is granted. The remaining issues are REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, as the RO did not issue a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran must file a VA Form 9 to perfect his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no evidence of a qualifying period of service or any relationship to service. The Board also found no aggravation by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for a hearing loss rating and service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for tinnitus was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was dismissed due to his withdrawal. His claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the evidence of record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and lung cancer were denied as they are not related to service. Tingling and numbness in the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot were also denied as these conditions are not caused or aggravated by service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's documented heart disease and/or psychiatric disorder were incurred in or attributable to his service, specifically including his exposure to hazardous chemical agents while stationed at Camp Lejeune. The cause of death was listed as cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia, with alcoholism and diabetes mellitus as contributory causes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further clarification on the Veteran's prostate cancer symptoms, particularly regarding renal involvement.

The Veteran's death was not due to any service-connected disability, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.