Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar, right shoulder, left shoulder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension disabilities due to lack of a VA medical examination in connection with these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify exposure to burn pits, which may be relevant to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 21, 2020, for femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence and need for retrospective opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity CTS as secondary to his burn injuries is granted. The request to reopen a previously denied diabetes claim is denied, and the restoration of ratings for LUE burn scars from October 1, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Veteran's coronary artery disease from October 3, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, specifically at Camp Samae San near U-Tapao Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange exposure while stationed in Thailand. The appellant is seeking presumptive service connection based on her husband's alleged exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The initial rating for diabetes prior to February 22, 2021 and thereafter from October 4, 2021 is denied. From February 22, 2021 to October 4, 2021, a 20 percent rating for diabetes is granted. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for right lower extremity PAD and left lower extremity PAD from June 15, 2019 to October 20, 2021. SMC at the housebound rate is granted from June 15, 2019 to October 20, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus type I with erectile dysfunction, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied.,The claim for secondary service connection for a respiratory disability (asthma and COPD) is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized alopecia and diabetes mellitus, type 2 have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for gallbladder removal, liver cancer, and diabetes due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to a lack of recent medical evaluations, particularly for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis case is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to the appellant's death.