Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy with multiple microaneurysms are denied as his claim was not received until October 24, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the possibility of a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the receipt of his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a left arm condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative requested a DRO hearing, but it was not confirmed.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings in both diabetes mellitus and urge incontinence was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings at any point during the period under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes, finding no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD. The cause of death was determined to be positional asphyxiation, not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his active-duty service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in May 2007. The reopened claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for poor vision (claimed as partial blindness in both eyes) was reopened but remains denied because there is no evidence showing a nexus between the condition and his active-duty service or another service-connected disability.,Service connection for renal failure was previously denied. The reopened claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current renal failure to his military service, including toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was previously denied. The reopened claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing a nexus between the condition and his active-duty service or another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's back disability, occasional dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, trouble swallowing with pain in the chest, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, light sensitivity, right lower extremity numbness, and left lower extremity numbness must be remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes as secondary to hepatitis C, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as secondary to hepatitis C and for compensation pursuant to 38C.F.R. �1151 due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are now rated at 50 percent, granting a higher rating. The ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities remain at 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agent exposure. The remand is necessary because the AOJ did not obtain digitized deck logs from the USS Newman K. Perry and failed to verify the Veteran's participation in repatriation flights between Vietnam and Hawaii.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, diabetes, basal cell carcinoma of the left cheek, and a right ear hearing loss disability as secondary to service-connected conditions. Service connection was denied for residuals of a left submandibular abscess.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim to find him Totally Disabled Except for Non-Service Connected Conditions (TDIU) should be dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claim for balance issues/vertigo/dizziness is remanded, meaning it needs further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding obesity as an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for several of the service-connected conditions and rating increases.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner should consider the Veteran's wife's statement regarding her assistance with daily activities and whether his PTSD requires regular care or assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II and a need for further development regarding an effective date for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Both his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis for increasing these ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete forms submitted by the Veteran regarding private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and incomplete evaluations of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus complications.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left lower leg neuralgia has been increased to 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for a surgical scar associated with his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.