Diabetes decisions — 2023

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims now.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral diabetic retinopathy as the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and stroke residuals as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service or proximately caused by her service-connected PTSD with depression.,The Board found that obesity was a factor in the development of these conditions but did not find it directly related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes, residuals of stroke, and OSA. The claims were reopened due to new evidence but the Board found no in-service or post-service relationship between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a power mobility device was denied because she did not have an adequate vehicle to transport the device. The Board finds that there may be additional information needed to clarify the reason for denial and address her lay statements.

The Board has awarded an earlier effective date of January 4, 2006 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must assign initial ratings for these disabilities from that date to May 30, 2019. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, and erectile dysfunction, as well as a TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left ankle strain. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's SMC for regular aid and attendance is granted due to service-connected disabilities including peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a duty to assist error in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear reasons and lack of adequate notice. The Board will request medical opinions from the CEAT regarding personal care needs, supervision or protection requirements, and need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection for kidney stones is granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in the Korean DMZ. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as it is not related to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's increased stipend in the PCAFC is granted due to his need for personal care services each time he completes at least three ADLs and is fully dependent on a caregiver, based on his service-connected conditions and documented medical problems.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities is granted. For the period prior to June 22, 2019, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, residuals of adrenal cancer, and coronary artery disease with myopathy status post coronary artery bypass graft. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to environmental hazards that included jet fuel, Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), and Trichlorofluoromethane.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in the right upper extremity, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left lower and right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and coronary artery disease (CAD), have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board is unable to proceed with a decision on these matters at this time.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and the cause of the Veteran's death as they were not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed as he withdrew his claims in writing before the Board made a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a private clinician. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the service-connected PTSD or OSA caused or aggravated the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes.