Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide VA examinations or opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board is remanding the case for further adjudication, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a November 1978 administrative decision regarding dishonorable service. The earlier effective dates for PTSD, TBI, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, poor circulation of the feet and hands, hypersomnia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to potential service connection issues. The VA will need to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding these claims.

The Board denied claims for effective dates prior to January 24, 2018 for service connection of various conditions including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and psoriatic arthritis. The effective date was set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of erectile dysfunction and diabetes, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep disorders secondary to a service-connected disability, are denied. His claims for separate compensable ratings for diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetes and for chronic kidney disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate etiological opinions. The claim is now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disability, peripheral circulatory disorder, and bilateral lower extremity neurological impairment. The examiner is requested to consider all applicable military deployments and the synergistic effect of asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with bilateral eye nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is denied an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism due to herbicide exposure, but has remanded the case for further examination regarding a low back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, RLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, heart condition, residuals of stroke, sarcoidosis, and migraine headaches due to inadequate opinions in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition was denied, but the appeal is reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for this condition remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a duty to assist error and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable prior to August 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show any single disability preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The right knee and left knee disabilities remain pending for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), have caused him to require the aid and attendance of another person for his activities of daily living. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson's disease are granted as presumptively related to his military service due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological impairment in the right and left lower extremities due to Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes mellitus were denied as they were received more than one year after separation from service, making February 13, 2013 the earliest effective date.

Service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer is granted from August 10, 2022. Service connection for diabetes, right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and DDD with osteoporosis resulting in a vertebral fracture are remanded.