Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, syncope, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, lumbar disability, and a right foot disability (other than pes planus).

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including coronary artery disease and ventricular dysrhythmias, are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. His diabetes is also presumed to be related to his service-connected hypertension.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and diabetic foot disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the increased rating for diabetes mellitus, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, OSA, and GERD due to the need for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's weight gain is also a factor being considered in these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,A rating of 10 percent, and no higher, has been granted for degenerative arthritis of the right fifth finger.,Service connection for hypertension has been established.,Service connection for residuals of status post bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome release has been established.,Service connection for migraine headaches has been established.,Service connection for a disability of the ear manifested by dizziness (including vertigo and peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD)) as secondary to service-connected rhinitis has been established.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has not been established.

The claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left foot disability and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to alleged herbicide agent exposure while serving on the U.S.S. Forrestal, and also for TDIU as these issues are intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 3, 2012 to January 11, 2019 due to his service-connected PTSD alone. His other service-connected condition (Diabetes Mellitus, Type II with Erectile Dysfunction) does not meet the criteria for a separate rating of at least 60%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disorder, gout, and stroke due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ED, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to unclear exposure history. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because of service-connected disabilities prior to March 12, 2008. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and right wrist disability due to insufficient development of evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine if his diabetes diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, bilateral eye disorder, and right hand condition secondary to diabetes due to new contentions and need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of in-service onset or causation and noting the absence of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claim was not granted.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during active service and insufficient medical nexus to link the conditions to service or a service-connected disability.,Diabetes was first diagnosed in March 1989, well after separation from service. The examiner concluded that hypertension did not cause or aggravate diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not have a chronic disease in service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act, but service connection for hypertension on a direct basis remains pending and requires further examination.