Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 2, 2016. From April 2, 2016 to June 27, 2016, the Veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The appeal for TDIU is now moot as he is already receiving SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions due to new evidence being added to the record after the January 2020 SOC. The Veteran is asked to waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent.,Her chronic lumbar strain (back disability) is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has denied all individual issues of service connection. The appeals are not granted.

The Veteran's spouse is appealing for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status. The appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neurocognitive symptoms, which may be related to PTSD or other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot disability, heart disabilities including cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea (secondary to heart disability) due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as these issues are not properly before the Board due to the finality of prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection claims related to exposure to Agent Orange, including cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, right leg amputation, bilateral neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, and back disability.

The Board granted an effective date of September 12, 2008 for the award of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the 'L' rate based on loss of use of one hand and one foot. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension (HTN) as the appellant failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 (DM II), was denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury and no causal relationship between DM II and service-connected HTN.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the appellant did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to participate in a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if his diabetes is related to service-connected disabilities and whether it is caused or aggravated by them.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine his current level of impairment from service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which could affect his eligibility for SMC.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have been granted. Diabetes mellitus type II is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure, while hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act effective date of August 10, 2022. The heart disorder claim remains pending as remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner must consider whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection for a throat condition, including throat cancer; diabetes mellitus; bilateral knee disabilities; lumbosacral strain; and COPD were all denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability evaluation for diabetic retinopathy due to diabetes mellitus Type-II was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for onychomycosis of the feet was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining a TERA examination and ensuring all outstanding records are obtained. The focus is on determining if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his military service, specifically participation in Operation Watch Dog.