Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's request for higher SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show he was bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for high cholesterol, peripheral arterial occlusive disease (claimed as muscle cramps, pain in legs, and trouble with holding and gripping items), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and cataracts due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's spouse testified that he received treatment at a VA clinic in Greeneville, Mississippi, and there was no indication of such records being obtained.

The Board has restored the Veteran's prior 20% ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective January 6, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and impotence as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining 18 years of age, finding that the evidence did not support such a determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issues are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including whether it was caused by his duties as a necropsy technician, mortician, or embalmer in Guam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes and a lung condition due to exposure to herbicides, as well as asbestos exposure. The appeals are being remanded for additional development including verifying in-service exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos, obtaining medical opinions regarding respiratory disabilities, and clarifying the record on childhood asthma history.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and left hand disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,For the bilateral foot disorder, the Board found no persuasive evidence of its onset during service or causation from an in-service injury. For type II diabetes mellitus, there was no showing of chronicity within a presumptive period and no noted condition in service. And for left hand disorder, there were no symptoms reported since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether the condition began during service, was caused by or aggravated any service-connected conditions, and if obesity may be an intermediate step in causing the disability.

The appeal for service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is dismissed. The appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD with TBI prior to June 10, 2019, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts by the AOJ in verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to an herbicide agent while stationed in Panama from January 1971 to February 1972. The AOJ is directed to take additional steps to verify this claim and obtain relevant records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss has continued to decline since his last examination, and thus a new examination is needed to assess the current severity or extent of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, left ear hearing loss, and prostate cancer claims are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service periods and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance beginning February 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance, which meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's heart condition, including CAD, is rated at 60 percent for the entire initial rating period.,Effective from March 6, 2013, the Veteran receives a 60 percent rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PN), bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve PN, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic, tibial, and popliteal nerves PN have been denied. The effective dates for these claims are not granted.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has also been denied.