Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or dioxides. The Veteran's claim is being reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiomegaly and congestive heart failure, stroke/cerebral vascular accident, diabetic nephropathy, voiding dysfunction, bowel disturbances (upper and lower extremities), neuropathy, right upper extremity muscle weakness, neuropathy, right lower extremity muscle weakness, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 100 percent disability rating for cardiomegaly and congestive heart failure and stroke/cerebral vascular accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes and chronic sinusitis due to incomplete STRs, lack of a VA examination, and possible worsening of symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a back disability, due to new evidence added to the record since the last readjudication.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection. The low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied increased ratings. TDIU prior to October 1, 2018 is granted but since then is denied. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted effective March 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, left knee and hip disorders, as well as chronic bronchitis, urinary hesitancy, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea prior to specific dates. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions that address these issues.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted, with the PACT Act presumption. The heart disorder and peripheral neuropathy claims were remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and participation in a TERA. Further research into the Veteran's service history and medical opinion are needed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no credible evidence of herbicide agent exposure and insufficient medical opinions supporting a direct relationship between any of the conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for PTSD as there is no longer a claim in controversy due to the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety and depressive disorders effective June 28, 2014. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, vertigo, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The PACT Act provides a presumption of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted with a 10% rating effective September 9, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not show the need for regulation of activities to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and kidney stones were granted. The rating for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied, as well as the claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus. Service connection for hypothyroidism was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and kidney stones are presumed to be related to his service due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, while peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and rating determinations. The main reasons are to obtain missing service treatment records and private medical records, as well as to determine whether new evidence supports reopening of certain claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes was granted a disability rating of 60 percent from May 24, 2018 to October 16, 2020. Prior to this period and after it, the Veteran's diabetes is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral feet, skin condition, back disability, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no current disability, no in-service event or injury related to the conditions, and no nexus between any condition and service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made on the merits of the service connection claims.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection is granted for GERD. The Veteran's right upper quadrant pain (to include residuals of gallbladder removal) and skin condition are also service connected due to exposure to burn pits in Somalia, while generalized arthritis is presumed based on Gulf War Service.,The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn by the appellant.