Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with cutaneous candidiasis and erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of regulation of activities or other compensable complications.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritic changes is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, low back disability, and left lower extremity sensory and motor deficits. The timeliness of the NOD regarding the January 2016 rating decision on coronary artery disease and diabetes is also in question.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus II (DM II), left hip disability, and right hip disability due to lack of information about his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to in-service elevated triglycerides.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective July 5, 2017. The claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents are granted. The Board also remanded the issues of peripheral neuropathy, finding that additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeal to restore the rating for sinusitis is dismissed. The appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for a chronic kidney condition is granted, and the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's CKD is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or hypertension. ,The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of right knee degenerative joint disease and granted it. The request to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim was denied.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide records from Baptist Hospital and requested an addendum opinion regarding whether his diabetes is related to service-connected chronic ulcer disease or if it was present within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been withdrawn. The claims for an earlier effective date prior to April 22, 2010 for GERD are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus, both of which were related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner found no nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service or exposure to contaminated water.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements and lack of a secondary service connection opinion. The case is now pending with further development required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as other conditions were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his PTSD and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than September 25, 2017.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher rating based on his blood pressure readings.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities (right and left) are each rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities (right and left) are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetic nephropathy, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. This has been determined to preclude locomotion without regular and constant use of an assistive device, leading to a grant for specially adapted housing. However, this legally precludes a separate special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for verification of exposure to hazardous materials and radiation during his military service.