Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. However, the Board granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis under the PACT Act. The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral nuclear sclerotic cataracts and a disability greater than 20 percent for bilateral high frequency hearing loss were both denied.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service onboard the USS Hancock.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examination reports and inaccurately reported service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure during service in Thailand. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy are denied.,The Veteran was granted presumptive service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II under the PACT Act. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions, as the PACT Act requires such examinations if evidence of participation in toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) is provided. The claims are related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes) and remanded the issue to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease with cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Hornet in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to military noise exposure, while his diabetes is not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented to support the original denials. The Board found that none of the conditions claimed are related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents during service or a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for sinusitis/rhinitis, hypertension, left ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7528.,The Veteran's DM2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on diabetes requiring one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet, or an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet (40 percent).,For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.,For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran is also rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it does not meet VA compensation criteria.,A TDIU award is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia remains remanded due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.,Claims for higher ratings for right rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are also remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and metatarsalgia remain remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, internal hemorrhoids, right colon adenoma, umbilical hernia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.,The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a right colon adenoma is also remanded.,Service connection claims for an umbilical hernia secondary to the right colon adenoma and diabetes mellitus remain remanded.,Claims for service connection for heart disability, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes, back condition, and bilateral shoulder condition. The decision is based on the evidence showing a history of elevated blood pressure during service that eventually led to hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's obesity is also being evaluated in relation to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes, hypertension, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy are granted. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, which is presumed for veterans who served in that region. As a result, these conditions are considered related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for mental disability and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate notice regarding scheduled VA examinations, and for providing proper guidance on the consequences of failing to report for such exams.