Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's low back disability aggravated obesity, which in turn caused hypertension and diabetes. The Board granted secondary service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, kidney disease, and a bilateral eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and liver cysts (claimed as liver spots) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the issue of service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right sciatic and tibial nerves has been granted a 20 percent rating for the period prior to November 1, 2018, and a 40 percent rating since that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and adenocarcinoma of the colon are granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia. The mixed germ cell tumor of the right testis is also granted service connection under the PACT Act, which grants presumptive service connection for certain conditions related to exposure to environmental toxins.,The Veteran's hypertension issue has been remanded and will require further review by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The issues include bulging discs, sleep apnea, arthritis of hands and knees, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), left knee disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and benign prostate hypertrophy due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to provide ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, and entitlement to a compensable rating prior to November 24, 2014, and a rating higher than 30 percent thereafter, for COPD and benign asbestos pleural disease. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (other than right upper hemiparesis) has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted a TDIU rating based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus prior to August 10, 2022 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diabetic retinopathy, and status post acromioclavicular separation of the right shoulder are all granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his hepatitis C claim was granted. His heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II claims were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's nasal fracture, right hip contusion and degenerative arthritis, surgical scars as residuals of liver transplant, anxiety disorder, and hypertension are all denied.,A rating in excess of the current evaluations for these conditions is not warranted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from SSA and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to alcoholism has been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain residuals, which caused significant weight gain and led to his diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease, contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for cause of death is granted.