Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus with early nuclear sclerotic cataracts, bilateral eyes prior to May 23, 2018, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as the disability did not require regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The decision found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) is denied as the evidence does not show that his DM requires regulation of activities, which would warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but has remanded the diabetes mellitus type II claim due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes. The RO must obtain private treatment records and arrange for a medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee strain caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether it was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) due to an inadequate VA examination in July 2019. The parties agreed that a new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes was aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or any other in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.,There was no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus (type II and type I) is granted, with the Board finding that his DM had its onset during active service.,Service connection for chronic bronchitis as secondary to service-connected asthma is also granted. The Veteran's asthma requires daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating prior to March 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The other issues are remanded and will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a compression fracture, L2 and left ankle sprain have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for diabetic nephropathy prior to January 20, 2015 was denied.,From January 20, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD caused or aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for diabetic ulceration of the left big toe.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran was involved in autopsies of pilots killed in Vietnam at Lyster Army Hospital. The AOJ is instructed to verify this and obtain additional medical opinions if necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy/nerve damage, and hypertension due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The reasons include inadequate rationale in previous opinions regarding delayed onset of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to claimed herbicide exposure. The remand requires verification of in-service DDT exposure and obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to his diabetes, are denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection for chronic diseases.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient rationale in a previous medical opinion and lack of discussion on the Veteran's in-service laboratory results showing prediabetes.