Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to be the proximate cause of his diagnosed acute adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities is denied due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD status post MI and PCI with stent placement, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on needing aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r). The Veteran was previously granted SMC based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and petit mal seizures are currently rated at the maximum available disability ratings. The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and its complications are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes type II prior to March 6, 2023. The claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted as his condition does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation (which requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, heart disorder, hypertension, bilateral lung disorder, skeletal arthritis of the entire body, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient etiology opinions. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes, right and left lower extremity neuropathy, and prostate cancer have been dismissed.,Higher ratings were granted for upper extremity neuropathies but the Veteran withdrew his claims for higher ratings of diabetes and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and unspecified depressive disorder. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy appeal was dismissed due to a reduction from 10% to 0%. Other claims were addressed but not decided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination addressing the appellant's loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities for purposes of SMC.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for lumbago of the lumbar region, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act are also being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,The Veteran's service connection claim for skin disability, to include chloracne is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) and allowing the Veteran to opt-in to the AMA system if desired.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in finding that the presumption of soundness was rebutted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is now pending and will be reconsidered with the presumption of soundness in place.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes, asthma, and prostate cancer. The appeals were based on a lack of new and material evidence or due to the absence of a causal relationship between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board is remanding cases related to kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, heart disability, bilateral heel disability, and hypertension as they are not eligible to be adjudicated due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's October 2021 supplemental claim for service connection for diabetes was dismissed because another supplemental claim on the same issue was pending.