Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 2, 2017 are being remanded due to incomplete development. The diabetes rating claim requires a new VA examination to assess physical activity restrictions, while the GSW claim needs additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as some of the disability evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran's claim is based on the presumption that type II diabetes mellitus is associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for right wrist laceration residuals, back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbe hyperpigmentation residuals, diabetes, sleep apnea, and a right hand injury. The decision also mentions that VA should attempt to obtain Social Security Administration records relevant to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to toxic substances and stressor events. The cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to a need for updated medical evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for any private treatment records related to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney disability, skin condition, right hand tremors, left hand disability, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, lower bilateral gout, and sleep apnea are not related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 12, 2019.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to high grade retroperitoneal liposarcoma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or toxic chemical exposure during service, nor was there any credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of issues related to increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis of the left lower extremity due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examination opinions. Additional development is needed, including addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and the need for a TERA examination considering diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as the Veteran did not respond to a clarification request.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his combined schedular evaluation for service-connected disabilities is 100%, but he does not have a single disability rated at least 60% disabling or two or more disabilities each rated at least 40% and the combined rating of those disabilities is at least 70%. The Veteran's unemployability is due to his PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), a heart disability, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete examination reports that did not address the Veteran's exposure to toxic environments during his deployments in Southwest Asia.

The appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and prostate cancer have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with cataracts prior to July 5, 2018 as it was not a valid issue on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals, as well as diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and assistance.