Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psoriasis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the lack of systemic therapy. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and OSA were also denied as there was no new and relevant evidence submitted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20%, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are all granted ratings. Heart condition and TDIU issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted with an effective date of September 17, 2009. However, the AOJ found that a retroactive effective date to March 22, 2017 was warranted based on newly received service department records.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and idiopathic angioedema, but denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded to provide a VA examination regarding the nature of the Veteran's claimed idiopathic angioedema.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus. These conditions are presumed due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand during military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted. The appeals for service connection for a lung disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, brain fog, hypertension, and osteoarthritis are dismissed or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 and hypertension is remanded due to the failure to provide timely notice of a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided that service connection is denied for prostate cancer and hypertension, but the case is remanded to determine if service connection should be granted for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, but there are issues regarding the Veteran's military personnel records and whether he served in offshore eligible waters as defined by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The claim is being remanded to address these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. The Veteran's kidney condition and liver condition (other than hepatitis C) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings are set to April 18, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus on a secondary basis due to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for sleep apnea is also granted based on exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a disorder manifested by high cholesterol has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has remanded issues regarding back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than service-connected persistent depressive disorder), bilateral eye disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and bilateral visual field loss, but has remanded the claim for glaucoma.

The appeal seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is reopened. Entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.,From July 19, 2018, to July 16, 2020, entitlement to a separate rating of 20 percent for right knee instability is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion is denied.,Beginning May 18, 2022, entitlement to a separate rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for right knee limitation of extension is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and a heart disability (including coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass graft). The appellant withdrew his appeal in full.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Midway. The claims will be reconsidered with additional verification of the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Veteran's hypertension and/or hypertensive heart disease, type II diabetes, and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are all granted as they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson's Disease, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and hypertension as these conditions are not related to active service or herbicide exposure.