Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to be the primary cause of his diagnosed conditions, including asthma, erectile dysfunction (ED), hypertension, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, and a left eye scar. The Board has granted increased ratings for these conditions based on their secondary relationship to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly related to exposure to harmful chemicals during military service. The claims are now pending and will be reviewed again with further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hypertension are denied. Service connection for a back disorder, tension headaches, and vertigo is also denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C claim is inextricably intertwined with his claims for liver disease and transplant, scar from liver transplant, and diabetes mellitus. The issues are therefore remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claims were also not granted on secondary basis as the Veteran is not service connected for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has vacated its September 2020 decision and remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory, sleep apnea, heart failure, implantable defibrillator, hypertension, esophageal condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and psychiatric disorders. The issues are now in a state of pending status.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy prior to February 22, 2018 was denied. The effective date for the grant of a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy from April 27, 2015 is granted.,Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted since July 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inconsistencies in obtaining a nexus opinion and the need for further development of the obesity issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty service at Aberdeen Proving Ground due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The appeals seeking to reopen service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea on the basis of new and material evidence have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, service connection for multiple sclerosis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for throat cancer, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between her current condition and her active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding herbicide agent exposure verification. The AOJ failed to contact the appropriate entities as instructed in the October 2022 remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records do not support a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents or actual exposure during service. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, effective from October 1, 2022.