Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 have been granted as service connection is established based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records, schedule the Veteran for medical examinations, and provide a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not establish herbicide exposure during service and there was no other basis to find a relationship with service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of your claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus because you have withdrawn your appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

Effective dates of August 31, 2010, April 29, 2009, and April 29, 2009 have been granted for service connection for status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease status post angioplasty, diabetes mellitus, type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (external popliteal nerve), and left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (radial nerve).

Your service connection claims for diabetes mellitus II and hypertension have been granted, but the decision is dismissed because your benefits are already in effect.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA-contracted examiner regarding whether the Veteran's vision impairment is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 16, 2011. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the progression of these conditions is not related to his service-connected depressive disorder.,For the TDIU claim, the Veteran was previously awarded a 100% disability rating for his depressive disorder as of August 8, 2022. However, he has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes, back disability, right hand disability, and left hand disability are not service-connected due to insufficient evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is secondary to his service-connected left ankle degenerative arthritis, post-fracture dislocation with scar.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with cataracts and erectile dysfunction is now rated at 40 percent from October 28, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy with macular edema is rated at a 60 percent disability rating, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 6040.

The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 20 percent, and the issues of service connection for prostate disorder, liver disorder, lung disorder, osteoarthrosis, and heart disorder are all denied. The Veteran has been granted a separate rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess his lumbar spine condition and for research into his exposure to herbicide agents. The diabetes mellitus claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 19, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating for these disabilities is 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Drum, which is necessary for establishing service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer.

Service connection has been granted for right and left knee disabilities. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded.