Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his in-service exposure and the development of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is now granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. The claims for diabetes mellitus and heart condition are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted under the PACT Act, but an effective date prior to August 10, 2022 is not established due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, heart disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, along with other service-connected conditions, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for the left knee disability and granted a TDIU effective October 7, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that none of his service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as higher than 10 percent.,PTSD was rated at the highest possible level (70 percent) prior to July 16, 2020, and TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to chemicals while stationed in Japan. The Board will consider all of his claimed conditions, including cardiovascular issues and diabetes, as part of this case.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to service-connected diabetes, and his claims for cardiovascular condition (atrial fibrillation) and neurological condition (essential tremor) are remanded.

The Veteran's liver disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, right shoulder disorder, gout, and diabetes mellitus are all denied as service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and active service.,Service connection for the Veteran's liver disorder is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a liver disorder and no evidence linking it to service. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current liver disability, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II disorder and cervical spine disorder, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II disorder is remanded due to new evidence indicating its onset during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities. The claims are based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, skin disability, and bilateral eye disability. The remand includes verifying herbicide agent exposure in Panama, obtaining VA treatment records, and providing an opinion on whether any hypertension is aggravated by a service-connected anxiety disorder.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for a kidney disability as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for residuals of strokes, including as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents and service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, is remanded.,Service connection for seizure disorder, including as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents and service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes, which is currently considered service-connected.

The Veteran's knee and spine conditions are remanded for further examination. His respiratory, heart, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities are also remanded due to the similar nature of the issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and missed examinations. The AOJ is required to obtain updated treatment records, provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes, OSA, right knee condition, and headaches, and reschedule the Veteran for a headache examination.