Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and peripheral arterial diseases of multiple limbs, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, shortness of breath, triple bypass heart surgery, and a left hand condition due to issues with the medical opinions provided regarding preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The PACT Act is applicable in the case of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus secondary to his right knee disability, sleep apnea, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and anal fistulotomy, both rated at 100%.

The Veteran's appeal for diabetes mellitus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities are reopened. The Board will remand these issues to obtain additional medical opinions regarding service connection.,The claim for erectile dysfunction is also remanded due to its inextricability with the psychiatric disorder issue.,The Veteran's appeal for diabetes mellitus is dismissed, and his claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are reopened. The Board will remand these issues to obtain additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, Type II (DM II) due to their secondary nature to his service-connected disabilities. The issues remain on appeal as the RO is still considering the TDIU claim prior to March 25, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to toxic exposure during his military service. The opinions should consider all of the Veteran's exposures, including asbestos and lead paint, in determining whether these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD) with congestive heart failure (CHF), right leg edema, and left leg edema, all of which are related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea caused or aggravated his hypertension and diabetes mellitus, Type II.

An effective date of January 7, 2022, is granted for a disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and consider the new presumptive period under the Blue Water Act.

The Board granted a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy, finding that the Veteran's GFR was consistently below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least three consecutive months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error regarding his claimed herbicide exposure. The AOJ needs to conduct further research to verify if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his service from May 1968 to July 1968.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and therefore meets the criteria for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted with initial evaluations of 30 percent each.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to in-service exposure to herbicides. The AOJ needs to verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and conduct further development accordingly.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection.,The issues of service connection for CAD and DM, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to procedural errors.