Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not reasonably raised by the record prior to November 4, 2013. The effective date of TDIU is set at November 4, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 cannot be granted before November 4, 2013, as the Veteran did not have a total rating for service-connected compensation prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, which was not considered in the previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II and related conditions, as well as SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The effective dates are set at March 11, 2022.

The Veteran's bilateral glaucoma is rated at 10 percent, effective November 30, 2021. The Board denied a higher rating.,Diabetes mellitus type II remains rated at 40 percent, effective November 30, 2021. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective November 30, 2021. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).,Erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated at 30 percent, effective November 30, 2021. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition, so these matters are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, which the Board finds based on his education, work experience, and physical limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes is pending due to a need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide names, addresses, and dates of treatment for all VA and non-VA health care providers who have treated him for his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. The cases are remanded due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 22, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, depression, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the effective date is set at March 28, 2018 based on his December 2016 VA examination results.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related secondary conditions. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), and left Achilles tendon condition. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence showing that any of these conditions began during or were otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 4, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathies of the left and right lower extremities were granted increased ratings from December 1, 2020. Service connection was denied for gout and acid reflux condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 18, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 18, 2009.,The effective date for the grant of DEA benefits is also set at February 18, 2009, as it corresponds with the TDIU grant.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), type II diabetes mellitus, and back disability based on new evidence. However, service connection is denied for all three conditions.