Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left eye diabetic retinopathy and blindness are not considered to be a result of VA medical treatment, leading to the denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in a previous decision, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder and diabetes type II (diabetes) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, and chronic respiratory failure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which was a significant condition contributing to his death.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of September 20, 2013. The Veteran also receives Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate as of October 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an error in providing notice of his right to a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and head/scalp condition to include cysts are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The PACT Act presumption is applied for these conditions.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is manifested by loss of erectile power without penile deformity and was granted a separate compensable rating.,Service connection for diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity, femoral nerve was granted with an effective date of April 6, 2015.,Service connection for diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve was also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's neck disability, back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these conditions are not specified as they were awarded in the October 2018 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether his current disabilities are related to his service-connected conditions or if they were aggravated by them. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, chronic headaches (to include as secondary to PTSD), and TBI has been granted. The Veteran is also granted a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, hypertensive diabetic retinopathy, and sleep disorder due to inadequate examination and outstanding treatment records.

The appeal of an entitlement to service connection for Type II Diabetes is dismissed. The appeals of the other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service toxic exposures. The issues of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial 20% ratings. His DM has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as secondary service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic acid reflux, hiatal hernia, and allergic rhinitis, has been granted. The case is remanded to obtain opinions regarding the secondary service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to consider whether service-connected conditions aggravated the Veteran's DM2. The claim is now pending for further development.