Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with hypertension and early nephropathy is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his disability.,The Veteran's heart disability (claimed as cholesterol) and GI disability are remanded for VA examinations to determine their etiology and whether they are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neck, eye, asthma, left ankle, and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's RLE neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy, is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury related to these conditions. The evidence did not support herbicide exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, back disability, heart related disability, spot on lungs, and right upper extremity condition due to missing service records and further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart condition as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was also denied for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, as these conditions are claimed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to seek verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the diseases were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and for a supplemental opinion regarding whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which may have contributed to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to their being intertwined with other pending claims. The Veteran also asserts that liver and kidney diseases are secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 6, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his history, education, skill, and previous work experience.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have resulted in his inability to maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 10, 2015, to the present. The Board has determined that the criteria for a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are met.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The diabetes mellitus type II claim has been withdrawn from appeal.,The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and bilateral knee and leg disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to an oversight in a previous decision. The Veteran served in Vietnam and had a hemoglobin A1C level of 5.8 percent, which Dr. S.R. characterized as pre-diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed diabetes mellitus type II. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records, provide an addendum opinion from a qualified practitioner on the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, and schedule a TERA examination for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for hyperglycemia, to include as secondary to a major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.