Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected back, right leg, and bilateral knee disabilities with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for right upper jaw disability, low back disability, left shoulder disability, arthritis, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to review the additional evidence provided since the last SSOC.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from May 10, 2006 to January 21, 2019 and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicides while serving in and off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Effective November 3, 2022, the Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for his disability rating.

The claim for service connection for DM due to herbicide exposure is reopened and granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and CAD due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and atrial fibrillation and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service.,There was insufficient evidence provided by the VA examiners to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was granted effective from July 20, 2022. The Board denied entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was acute coronary insufficiency with diabetes mellitus and other significant conditions, is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support an award of service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, brain tumor, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability for accrued benefits purposes due to unresolved issues regarding substitution of claimants.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate disability, and peripheral neuropathy due to toxic exposure. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to military service, according to a recent opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of establishing an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, an acquired respiratory condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential service connection based on in-service exposure. The Veteran's reported incidents aboard USS Hornet are to be verified, a VA examination is needed for his respiratory condition, and a VA medical opinion is required regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the April 2021 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including whether his migraines and associated medications caused or aggravated his obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been granted. The issue of service connection for an eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy (glaucoma and cataracts) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the July 2019 Statement of the Case and has not been considered by the AOJ. The case is being remanded to allow for a supplemental statement of the case and consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused her obesity, which in turn led to her current diabetes. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for diabetes on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee fragmentation wound scar is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a right knee scar is related to his active military service, specifically an in-service shrapnel wound during his tour in Vietnam. For other issues, including increased ratings for various disabilities and renal insufficiency prior to December 14, 2020, the decision remains pending as these are not final decisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypogonadism, finding that there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded for further examination regarding the endocrine disorder.