Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and aggravation of eye disabilities is currently rated at 10 percent prior to August 12, 2013, and 20 percent thereafter. The Board has found that a higher rating may not be assigned for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II as he does not require insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent in addition to a restricted diet. The issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and femoral nerve disability of the lower extremities, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's death in June 2007 was caused by multiple injuries, with hypertension contributing substantially to the cause of his death. The Board granted DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed as an anxiety disorder have been granted. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with an effective date of January 2, 2013. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II is set at 20 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's condition required only restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, without regulation of activities. The current 20% rating is upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is reopened due to new evidence, and the case is remanded for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his disabilities prior to July 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service and the medical probability of his current disabilities being related to those exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis, heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to incomplete service personnel records, which may provide evidence of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 16, 2022 or entitlement to TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and reopening of previously denied claims. The main issue is that there is insufficient evidence to determine if any of these conditions had onset during or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a lack of development, including obtaining VA medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's upper extremity symptoms, including numbness and tingling. An additional VA examination is needed to determine if these symptoms are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, presumed due to herbicide exposure is granted. The issues of peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's ratings for Ischemic heart disease, Psoriasis, and Diabetes mellitus, type II are restored or maintained at 60 percent each. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for Ischemic heart disease prior to February 15, 2022, and the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the feet, and right knee arthritis. The rating for left elbow strain with bursitis is also being remanded.