Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD and diabetes mellitus for further review due to missing VA treatment records from July 2017 to July 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, OSA, and diabetes due to the need for additional opinions from appropriate specialists regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board denied an effective date prior to February 17, 2017, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a recurrent lumbar spine disability, recurrent skin disability (PFB), recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea), diabetes mellitus, and testicular disability (testicular cancer) as well as his psychiatric disability. The VA is instructed to obtain service records and verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with the Navy Reserve.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity was granted a 30 percent evaluation from January 12, 2012 to March 28, 2015. The right upper extremity received a 40 percent evaluation during this period. On or after March 28, 2015, the evaluations were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for fibroids and diabetes mellitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for cataracts due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of examination addressing recent treatment records that show hyperglycemia and pre-diabetes. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions is now pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU as his disability is manageable by medication and restricted diet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides or service connection on other grounds.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left second toe amputation, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetic neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes) as there was no persuasive evidence to support a finding that his diabetes began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding requests for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing. The claim of service connection for diabetes will be adjudicated after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to restore his ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), both rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2019. The evidence did not show material improvement in either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis prior to November 13, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected post-subarachnoid hemorrhage headaches and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension are considered.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The evidence did not support his claims of exposure or associated injuries.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The skin disability claim was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and remanded the issues of increased rating for right shoulder disability and service connection for a right upper extremity nerve disability as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,Impaired fasting glucose (claimed as diabetes mellitus) is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Veteran does not meet the full criteria for diabetes mellitus.,Bacterial meningitis is not service-connected, as there is no indication that it had its onset in service with a continuation since service.,Peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of current disability related to active duty service.