Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathies are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and CAD are granted increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Korea did not fall within the presumptive period for herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and a heart disability, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. The case is returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of a right kidney disability, to include cystic kidney disease, incurred in service.,There is no evidence of a gall bladder disability, to include cholecystectomy residuals, incurred in service.,There is no evidence of a colon disability, to include colon polyps, incurred in service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are not shown to be due to service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia, right kidney disability, gall bladder disability, colon disability, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and tremors due to lack of verification of in-service herbicide or solvent exposure, and because a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which in turn contributed to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder, finding that the appellant's symptoms did not result from injury incurred or aggravated during her period of active duty training.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's GERD claim. The Veteran is not service connected for DM, bilateral upper neuropathy, or diabetic retinopathy, and there is no secondary service connection established.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and lumbar spine disorder, but has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found the VA examinations and medical opinions for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy inadequate, necessitating further development. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes or had one during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing these conditions or if they would not have occurred but for obesity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diverticulitis and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted. Diverticulitis is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam, while type II diabetes mellitus is presumptively service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation throughout the current appeal period, starting on September 29, 2017.

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,An effective date prior to July 30, 2018, for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether his kidney condition is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another person, which grants special monthly compensation for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure from stepping foot in Vietnam during his service on the USS Constellation (CVA-64). The case is being remanded for further review and clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to anxiety disorder, hypertension, and other disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, CAD, and erectile dysfunction due to conflicting findings regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ must reconcile these findings in a new TERA memorandum.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment and income information provided by the Veteran. The Board requests clarification on his employment history and earnings since June 30, 2010.