Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during active duty, and for a TERA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to his service-connected herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are also presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's liver cancer is related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, pseudophakia, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to maintain regular, substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes, hypertension (secondary to diabetes), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes and hypertension).

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, kidney disease, left knee disability, liver disease, neck disability, radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities, skin disability with trophic changes, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a diagnosis within the presumptive period. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, but there was insufficient evidence to support this claim.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability is dismissed. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial rating of 50%. The issue of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran was employed in a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 2, 2016. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied as he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of examination and conflicting medical evidence. The issues are related as they may be impacted by the Veteran's obesity, which is linked to his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee or sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), angina pectoris, diabetes mellitus, type II, and CAD. The reasons include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a bone disability, ischemic heart disease, and transient ischemic attacks due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding in-service stressors, medical opinions needed, and verification of certain conditions. The appeals are now pending again with the VA.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8520.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is caused or worsened by his service-connected disabilities, particularly sleep apnea and other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus have worsened since their last examinations. The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain new VA examinations for these conditions.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has also worsened since his last examination. A remand is required to obtain a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran requests service connection for erectile dysfunction, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for RLS, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's RLS was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for fibromyalgia, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to inadequate development and incomplete record. The Veteran's service connection claim is inextricably intertwined with his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2023 and at 20 percent thereafter. Other claims are remanded.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic and femoral nerve impairment), and TDIU claims are all subject to further review.