Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome are rated at 10 percent each, effective April 16, 2021. The Veteran is denied higher ratings for these conditions.,Diabetes mellitus secondary to service-connected back and knee disabilities remains under consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act. The kidney disease secondary to hypertension, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, status post distal pancreatectomy, and dizziness are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a dental disability and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's assertions of an in-service accident resulting in lost teeth are considered, as is his diagnosis of diabetes prior to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, both claimed as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's exposure is presumed due to his duty near the air base perimeter in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, CAD, and hypertension, all found to be aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in nerve findings and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 100 percent prior to October 23, 2017. The Board found that his symptoms were more closely aligned with a 70 percent disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular requirements as he had multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disability, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, kidney dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), residuals of strokes, and dementia are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a skin rash on his head and chest due to exposure to herbicide agents were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure or relationship to service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, as the Veteran's disability did not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The Veteran also has peripheral neuropathy of sciatic nerve in both lower extremities and femoral nerve in both lower extremities, which are separately service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to colon cancer that was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has ordered remand to determine the level of functional impairment caused by each service-connected disability, including those related to diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on a single service-connected disability rated as total is being considered.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's obesity was caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar degenerative disc changes L5-S1 and/or bilateral flat feet. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development, specifically needing clarification on whether the Veteran's DM2 is linked to his PTSD-induced overeating.

The appeal is dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and there are no merits to adjudicate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded because new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, non-hodgkin's lymphoma, and squamous cell skin carcinomas have been granted. The claim for service connection for squamous cell skin carcinomas is remanded.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease.,Service connection is granted for ocular hypertension (now eye disability) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The appeal regarding the ocular hypertension issue is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition.