Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for legal blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, right foot ulcers, and left below-knee amputation secondary to diabetic left foot ulcers are granted. The presumptive exposure under the PACT Act of 2022 is applied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, venous stasis (also claimed as venous reflux disease), heart arrhythmia (atriial fibrillation), left kidney dysfunction, neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and diabetes mellitus type II. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for syncope, diabetes mellitus Type II (DM II), left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and a lumbar disability due to inadequate development of evidence. The appellant's service records show episodes of syncope during service and post-service, as well as DM II identified in 1988. The claims are now returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for the granted benefits are not earlier than February 21, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from June 30, 2010. The SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the period beginning on December 16, 2015, but not earlier, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding when the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy first manifested.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various diabetic conditions, including neuropathies and retinopathy. The Veteran withdrew his appeals before the decision was finalized.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required for a restricted diet and oral glycemic agents. The Board found that regulation of activities was not required as part of his medical management.

The Veteran's hearing loss and IHD have been rated based on the severity of their current conditions, with no higher ratings granted.,The Veteran's hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 22, 2015, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from October 22, 2015 to January 15, 2023, and a noncompensable rating from January 16, 2023.,The Veteran's IHD has not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 12, 2022.

The Veteran's daughter is denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2, as the appeal is moot due to having already been fully compensated for last expenses and burial.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service was not demonstrated and his diabetes did not manifest within one year of separation or be otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to congestive heart failure, finding that it was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. The appellant also argued for service connection for ischemic heart disease but there was no evidence supporting this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, kidney disease, and a bilateral eye disability due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes due to evidence indicating a possible link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, obesity, and medications.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), due to heart disability and/or medications taken therefor.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.