Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence. The claim for skin cancer is remanded as well. Further development is needed to verify exposure to herbicide agents at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hernia residuals with scarring was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to outstanding medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disability other than bilateral cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome, and macular schisis, including exotropia and exophoria, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the TDIU claim prior to February 26, 2008 is also remanded.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability of the right eye and left eye, as well as service connection for a left leg injury secondary to VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's LADA, specifically whether it is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and an initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes, but denied increased ratings for tinea corporis and PTSD.,The appellant's hypertension is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The Board found that the evidence was in approximate balance regarding whether the appellant has a current disability of hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left upper extremity, bilateral lower extremities have been denied.,Claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left lower and right lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected hypertension, and the claim for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically addressing her in-service sexual harassment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various types of neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II is also being remanded, but no rating or effective date has been assigned yet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand and fingers disability has been dismissed. The initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus is denied, but the Veteran is granted an initial rating of 40 percent for bilateral cataracts with surgery and retinal vascular occlusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, both secondary to service-connected peripheral neuropathy, were denied. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or credible assertions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for a new eye examination by an ophthalmologist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, TDIU from July 17, 2017, and SMC based on housebound status due to inadequate examination reports and missing medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, and microalbuminuria are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his diabetes.