Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, skin condition, and headaches due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy and denied a higher than 60 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's current ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (to include COPD, chronic bronchitis, and chronic cough), bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and diabetes mellitus type II are not supported by the evidence. The appeals have been remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus (to include complications resulting therefrom), and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have all been denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as it is considered to be a symptom of their service-connected depression.,For the initial rating period from June 6, 2018 to March 25, 2019, the Veteran receives a disability rating of 50% for their psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of increased ratings and service connection. Service connection was granted for GERD, chronic cough, and diabetes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and hypertension. The appeal was granted due to the proper application of law and evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, migraines, left and right knee disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded due to missing military records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new medical examination to clarify symptoms and test results related to service-connected diabetic peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability, skin disability, and initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, diabetes, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently receiving a 20% rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and related medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically concerning his exposure to herbicides and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The issue of accrued benefits is also being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and the issue of a compensable rating for light-headedness and dizziness due to service-connected hearing loss remains unresolved. The Board finds that remand is required as the October 2023 VA examiner's finding regarding noise exposure impacts the issue of entitlement to service connection on a direct basis.