Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the Veteran's claim was not based on any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in the record regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance prior to February 24, 2021. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to address this question.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the severity of his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, as well as earlier effective dates for these conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran was exposed to jet fuels during service but exposure to herbicide agents is not conceded.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and carcinoma in situ of the larynx are presumed to have developed as a result of active service due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, hypertension, hemorrhoids, hyperlipidemia, and a back condition have been denied as the evidence does not support a relationship to service.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions due to lack of in-service event or injury, no continuity of symptomatology, and insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has vacated its decision regarding the rating assigned for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of secondary service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service, and therefore, his claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; diabetic nephropathy; Parkinsonism; and hypertension are denied as they are not related to service.

The Board granted a Level 2 stipend in the PCAFC program for the Veteran due to his need for continuous supervision, protection, or instruction as determined by the April 2023 VFAI evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection and increased rating, as well as earlier effective date issues. The Board finds pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the current record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that regulation of activities was not required to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on October 25, 2013, implicitly includes a claim for resultant complications. The effective date of the award of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities is granted as of October 25, 2013.,The Veteran's TDIU was awarded as of October 25, 2013, but he asserts that his disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since 2001.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and bilateral diabetic retinopathy is rated at 40 percent disabling. The claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded due to the need to determine the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, naval facility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for sleep apnea, arthritis of the hands and knees, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and bulging discs due to a lack of VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran's diabetes required regulation of activities as required for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts secondary to service-connected diabetes was granted with the effective date set at January 9, 2017.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to outstanding medical records related to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and a VA examiner is needed to determine if the heart disorder and diabetes mellitus are related to in-service exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, both including as due to service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with PTSD, are dismissed because the Board erroneously docketed them under two different appeal streams.