Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to herbicide exposure, are granted. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is remanded as there is no evidence of early onset peripheral neuropathy or a link to the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was caused by in-service exposure to herbicide agents, led to his acute renal failure and death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2 increased ratings are denied.,Peripheral neuropathy claims for the lower extremities are denied as no claim was filed prior to September 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathies, and cardiovascular issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and a gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has worsened since the previous VA examination in August 2017. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's July 2017 VA Form 9 was timely filed, and therefore grants the appeal as to whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to the February 2016 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for left hand Dupuytren contracture as secondary to diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,From August 14, 2018, the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his military service near the DMZ, which supports a finding that he served in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident, which the VA determined were related to pre-existing conditions such as diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and coronary artery disease. The Appellant applied for DIC benefits after her husband died in January 2014, but she did not receive them until July 20, 2017 due to a one-year waiting period. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and was more likely due to risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, advancing age, and obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request. The TDIU claim prior to March 16, 2020 was denied because the Veteran had been employed full-time until he became disabled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance or special adaptive equipment due to his physical limitations and inability to use limbs effectively.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits file.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left arm numbness and tingling, and bilateral foot numbness and tingling due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case.