Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease was denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the Veteran was granted TDIU effective from August 10, 2022, and referred for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding ratings for diabetic neuropathy and hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is caused by his PTSD medication and/or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been rated, but the Board has found that his part-time employment constituted substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded to determine if a TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and SMC at the P-2 rate prior to September 3, 2019 is denied. The earliest possible effective date is September 3, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type I, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction due to a failure of the AOJ to obtain adequate medical opinions as to the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's lay statements, medical records, and VA examination are needed to determine if his conditions were related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from June 13, 2005. The decision finds that the Veteran's PTSD alone warrants a grant of TDIU from this date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in the examination provided. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as treatment did not require insulin.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an adequate medical opinion addressing whether his service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied, while the claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant treatment records from Dr. P.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with depression is alleged to have caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn allegedly caused his claimed disabilities. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion addressing these contentions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, psoriasis, a status post colon removal condition, and diabetes mellitus. The appellant's preexisting personality disorder was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left arm disorder, right foot disorder, diabetic retinopathy, left eye loss of vision, vertigo/dizziness, and seizures.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's disabilities are related to his service-connected conditions or if they were caused by other factors. The claims will be returned after further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, DMII/kidney disorder, and hypertension as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within the first year after separation from active duty.