Diabetes decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn, and the TDIU claim is granted from December 15, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus Type 2 (DM), were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 40 percent rating for DM from July 6, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and glaucoma are all granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, which supports the grants of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of multiple extremities, and erectile dysfunction on the basis of herbicide exposure in Thailand during covered service. The disorders are presumed to have been incurred due to this exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between diabetes mellitus and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,VA has not received complete service treatment and personnel records for the Veteran's Army National Guard service. The specific dates of all ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service periods performed by the Veteran during his Army National Guard service have also not been verified.,The Board is remanding to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment and personnel records, as well as the specific dates for all ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service periods performed by the Veteran during his Army National Guard service. The appellant must be notified of any negative replies.,VA has not received the Veteran's terminal treatment records from North Caddo Medical Center, which are necessary to determine the cause of death. These records should be requested on remand.,The Board is also remanding for the purpose of determining whether service connection can be established for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), an eye disorder to include presbyopia as secondary to DMII, and loss of sensation in the feet and fingers as secondary to DMII due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, causes him to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his balance issues, difficulty walking, weakness, and fall risk. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension, caused by exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service, substantially contributed to his death from COPD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete earnings records for 2015-2016, and the Veteran is asked to provide detailed information about their employment during that period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 1, 2006 for the award of DIC benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected cause of death.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and awarded SMC at the 's' rate due to additional disabilities independently rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, finding that there was not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The Board concluded that the current diagnosis of diabetes did not manifest during service or is otherwise related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are all granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to provide a new examination and medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart condition and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of clarity regarding the timing and nature of VA examinations, as well as potential service connection based on pre-existing conditions or onset within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened based on this new evidence, which includes VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his right knee injuries, hip disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and hypertension.