Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been granted. The claims for service connection for Liver Condition and Heart Condition have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was caused by obesity, which in turn was caused by his major depressive disorder. The reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, while his coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) is rated at 30 percent. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's obesity, resulting from his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities, caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, type II diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's DMII with erectile dysfunction and nephropathy is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 12, 2022. A separate 40 percent rating for voiding dysfunction has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for scar of the left little finger, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and new and material evidence for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia) due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury that caused these conditions. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension are granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and cataracts of both eyes are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were rated at 20 percent for the entire period from January 27, 2017. The right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were each rated at 40 percent from September 30, 2020 to the present.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory and stomach disabilities, as well as type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing herbicide agent exposure during service.,There is also no post-service medical evidence of these conditions within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II with ED and retinopathy was granted a 40 percent disability rating from July 9, 2015 to April 7, 2019. From April 8, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination related to his diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for impotence, neuropathy, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, amputation of the right second toe, and amputation of the left lower leg below the knee are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy in each extremity, and MDD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is also being remanded as there is no indication that the condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving his right hand condition, bilateral knee conditions, tinnitus, head injury residuals, headaches, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The reasons for remand include inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease, stage II have been granted. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease, stage II.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus (diabetes), is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, to include as secondary to service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (hereinafter GERD) and/or as secondary diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a nerve disorder, to include as due to radiation exposure, herbicide agent exposure, and pesticide / insecticide exposure, and/or secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include residuals of a pulmonary embolism, to include as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or a secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus need further investigation due to incomplete records, particularly regarding his exposure in service. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and personnel records from official sources.