Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and hypertension, as well as his obesity subsequent to a service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria were not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of compliance with remand instructions regarding Agent Orange exposure in the DMZ during the Veteran's service from July 1969 to February 1971.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, headaches, right ankle disability, left wrist disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disorder is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at October 9, 2009.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to military service and due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims of diabetes mellitus, type II, hyperlipidemia, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are remanded as the evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and sleep apnea due to exposure to burn pits during active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and managed with oral hypoglycemic agents, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating as the condition does not require insulin.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, with an effective date of March 7, 2013.

Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, left lower extremity numbness, and lumbar spine disorder. The case is REMANDED to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient research on alleged herbicide agent exposure during service.

Service connection for hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea is granted. Service connection for hyperthyroidism is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that service connection for diabetes mellitus cannot be established due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU entitlement, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment prior to October 3, 2013.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and a separate compensable rating for the service-connected eye disability, finding that the criteria were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy with CTS of the upper extremities and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 17, 2022.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's ship, USS Coral Sea, was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his service. The Appellant asserts that he served in Vietnam and claims exposure to herbicide agents caused his diabetes.