Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection for DMII was granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for VA examinations and remanded for further development of his claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, left ankle condition, tinea pedis, sinusitis, COPD, and DMII.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for hepatic steatosis and for service connection for a Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, chronic fatigue, fatigue secondary to diabetes, a lung nodule, a chronic respiratory condition, chronic upper respiratory conditions claimed as flu-like condition, bone fractures of the left thumb and pinky, chest pain, cysts in the armpit area, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dizziness, eustachian tube dysfunction, eye disease, a fungal condition described as feet and buttocks rash, gastrointestinal issues, hemorrhoids, a hernia condition, a groin condition, a penile condition described as lack of sex drive, bipolar disorder, tinea versicolor, and a bladder condition.,The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for a skin rash/burn condition was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as presumptively linked to herbicide agent exposure. The case for service connection of progressive supranuclear palsy due to presumed herbicide agent exposure is remanded, and a direct service connection claim is also considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification of opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the grant of maximum schedular rating for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for anxiety, PTSD, a left leg amputation, diabetes mellitus, type II, and liver dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and related peripheral neuropathies are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as claims related to his death and various disabilities, were denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at a 40 percent level, but higher ratings are not warranted. Ratings for other conditions such as neurological impairments, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II, have resulted in his needing regular aid and attendance. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran requires assistance in performing activities of daily living due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of verification regarding whether the 173rd Airborne was deployed to Vietnam in 1964.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been granted a disability rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a left rib fracture was granted, and he is now service-connected for this condition.,Service connection has been established for coronary artery disease as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes is granted, but only under the PACT Act. The Board has remanded to verify if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Guam.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and has granted a TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for sarcoidosis remains pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (ED), and frequent urination, have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea). The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a sleep disorder in the medical records. It also noted that there was no positive opinion linking the Veteran's diabetes and psychiatric disorders to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various conditions, including squamous cell carcinoma of the spheroidal sinus and type II diabetes mellitus, as well as peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities. The claims are being reviewed again with consideration of additional medical records.