Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, and sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is not granted as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all AMA appeals related to service connection for tinnitus and initial disability ratings for lower extremity neuropathies as the appeal was not properly docketed under the AMA system.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner must address whether the DM II aggravated the appellant's obesity, which may be considered as an intermediate step in determining secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to anatomical loss or use of a lower extremity.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a higher rating for diabetes and TDIU prior to June 29, 2022, as the appellant requested withdrawal of all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically Agent Orange. The decision also notes that additional records are needed, including those from the second period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney condition due to a lack of examination and etiology opinions. The case is sent back for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's skin cancer and diabetes mellitus Type II are granted service connection as they are causally related to his exposure to sunlight and toxic chemicals during active duty.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy with open angle glaucoma and diabetic cortical cataracts are currently rated at 50 percent effective March 2, 2016. The Board denied a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes.

The Veteran's asthma, tinnitus, and related conditions are now service-connected. The Board has determined that additional examinations and remands are necessary for further analysis of the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that he required regulation of activities to manage his diabetes.,The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 22, 2023 and a disability rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 22, 2023 were denied as the evidence did not show that he required regulation of activities to manage his diabetes.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral cataracts with diabetic retinopathy prior to March 30, 2023 and a disability rating higher than 50 percent for bilateral cataracts with diabetic retinopathy from March 30, 2023 was denied as the evidence did not show that he required regulation of activities to manage his diabetes.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to March 30, 2023 was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability. The decision on diabetes is due to lack of herbicide exposure, while the heart disability case requires further examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 1, 2016 was denied. An initial 10 percent evaluation is granted from March 1, 2016 to December 2, 2022.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 1, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to PFAS in contaminated drinking water at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

The Board has remanded the claims of diabetic neuropathy and service connection for diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his current treatment regimen.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed on C-123 aircraft in Korea and Japan.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease were found to be contributory causes of his death from metastatic cancer, leading to the grant of DIC benefits.