Diabetes decisions — 2023

The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis (bilateral hands and knees), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with depression), and hypertension have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various diabetic neuropathy and Parkinson's disease conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate notice of a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) is secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The examiner needs to provide a clear opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and diabetes, finding that additional development is needed to address the likelihood of causation or aggravation by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in August 2009, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's request to reopen his low back strain claim was granted due to new Capri records that diagnosed him with low back pain and degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is denied as there is no direct or presumptive service connection, while his sleep apnea claim is also denied since the evidence does not support a link between his condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran and his spouse are seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and a bilateral lower extremity nerve condition, both secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a May 2022 VA opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is secondary to service-connected disabilities including diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions caused or aggravated the Veteran's obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies has been denied as there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his active-duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, unspecified gout, and unspecified arthritis have been remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions on their etiology. The conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion on its etiology.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee disability, left leg disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability have been remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, particularly in Okinawa. The claim will be further developed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to commercial herbicides and whether this exposure is related to his diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 50 percent level prior to January 24, 2014.

The Veteran's eye disorders are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology. His left knee disorder is also being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess its severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Erectile Dysfunction, and Bilateral Cataracts have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under the rating criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected under the PACT Act.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,A rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (all radicular groups) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (all radicular groups) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, low back disability, right and left heel spurs, and diabetes mellitus, type II.,However, the claims for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), service connection for cerebrovascular accident claimed as a stroke, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; and service connection for a fractured pelvis are remanded.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to additional evidence being added after a previous Supplemental Statement of the Case. The appellant is seeking benefits on an accrued benefits basis and must provide proof she paid the Veteran's last expenses.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent since April 19, 2005. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating from December 1, 2014 to the present.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during service or within one year of service. The claim will be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service, and a thorough search for all locations where the Veteran was stationed is required.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is reopened, but the Veteran's bilateral plantar warts are still rated at 10 percent. The case is remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and various types of neuropathy are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.