Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a jaw disability, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, low back disability, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran contends that he developed these conditions during his active duty in Okinawa.,The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the jaw disability, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, or low back disability. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also remanded due to the Veteran's contention of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to uncorroborated stressors, but the claim for bipolar disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was granted. The claim for heart disability (atrial fibrillation with bradycardia and coronary artery disease) resulted in a 60% rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and his hypertension with diabetic nephropathy is rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has granted an extraschedular total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 22, 2014 to March 18, 2022 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease have been granted.,The Board has also remanded the issues regarding peripheral vascular disease of all four extremities due to unclear etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, persistent depressive disorder, and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides during active duty at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes and associated lower extremity neuropathies have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent in each leg.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 7, 2014 for various conditions related to Parkinson's disease and bladder cancer due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for bladder cancer is also granted.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition based on toxic exposures while stationed at Fort McClellan. The right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disorder were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disorder as secondary to diabetes mellitus and also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type-II, both on the merits.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's thyroid disorder was related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as due to herbicide agent exposure during his nautical service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The TDIU claim is also remanded as incomplete employment history was provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arachnoid cyst in the right middle cranial fossa and diabetes mellitus, type II due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA opinions provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for diabetes. The Veteran's service-connected gouty arthritis is being evaluated to determine if it caused or aggravated his diagnosed diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, scar associated with right Achilles tendon rupture, and right Achilles tendon rupture (right ankle) as well as his claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's claims. Additionally, a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability and diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the right knee disability, left eye disability, back disability, TDIU claim, and left knee disability remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, Type II and hypertension due to insufficient development in the previous remands.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connected. The Board finds an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) may be related to service but requires further examination for a definitive opinion. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and kidney disability are remanded for further development.