Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective September 11, 2013.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from April 6, 2018. Prior to this date, the TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been granted a 20% rating effective October 28, 2019. The ratings for the left and right lower extremities diabetic neuropathies affecting the sciatic nerve are also granted with the same effective date.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, B-cell lymphoma as a result of herbicide exposure, recurring squamous cell skin cancer as secondary to B-cell lymphoma, deep vein thrombosis (right leg/groin) as secondary to B-cell lymphoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's IHD, diabetes, and hypertension are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The low back disorder, bladder disorder, and thyroid disorder claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral dry eyes and cataracts, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for diabetes type 1 and sleep apnea due to a lack of examination, and the examiner must determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and Parkinson's disease as they are Nehmer class member claims. The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, DM, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and the TDIU claim prior to that date were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent or 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and after that date, respectively.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were evaluated, with the majority of issues related to increased ratings for these conditions. The appeal was denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma, a skin disease characterized as a fully body rash, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, a back and/or cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to various procedural issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right ear hearing loss, and back condition have been granted service connection. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, which is a presumption under the PACT Act. The Veteran's service in Guam from 1972 to 1973 provides the necessary presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking increased disability ratings, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II secondary to AML, and TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities at any point during the appeal period, and therefore a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is dismissed as the effective date of his grant has already been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular rating requirements and rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 13, 2022, through April 16, 2023. Beginning April 17, 2023, when his combined rating went into effect at 100%, no individual service-connected disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.