Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2 and congestive heart failure and hypertensive heart disease, finding that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met under any theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, which is a key factor in determining whether he qualifies for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act. The Veteran was previously denied based on lack of evidence of exposure, but new information may now support his claim.

The Veteran's hemodynamic renal dysfunction is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes and hypertension, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, DM, and left hallux valgus deformity due to their potential secondary relationship with the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The issues are being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted. However, the Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, Parkinson's Disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete VA treatment records and insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further investigation regarding potential exposure to herbicides during service, specifically while serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima or USS Okinawa in 1967 and 1968. The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and the diabetes claim must be addressed again. The peripheral neuropathy claims are also inextricably intertwined and will be remanded along with the diabetes claim.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand instructions and another remanded is necessary due to the lack of a copy of the explanation of benefits (EOB) for the Veteran's June 10, 2009 treatment at Kaiser Permanente. The AOJ needs to obtain this EOB or provide an explanation if it cannot be obtained.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart disease) based on herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,Effective dates were set at February 14, 2003, for the grants of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of June 1, 2017. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is established effective as of June 1, 2017.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate effective April 1, 2020. The claim for SMC prior to December 31, 2019 was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding records and additional medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding the loss of use of both feet, meet the criteria for an award of aid and attendance benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). This entitles him to special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support granting service connection under any raised theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (already service-connected), peripheral vascular disease of the right leg, and left eye optic nerve pallor are not rated higher than their current levels.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is already service-connected and thus does not warrant a separate rating.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to service-connected prostatitis, but denied claims for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus type II based on herbicide agent exposure and/or radiation exposure. The claim for hernia and its residuals was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, hypertension, skin disorder, kidney disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II, require further examination to determine their etiology. The claims are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Shaw Air Force Base, which is necessary for a determination on presumptive service connection.