Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The effective date for TDIU was granted from May 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic nephropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumptively service connected due to herbicide exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the inadequacy of a prior VA examination. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was dismissed as the AOJ had already granted it in a September 2024 rating decision. The claims for flat feet, prediabetes, dehydration, acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right toe disability, disability associated with painful urination, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being related to service.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes type I and multiple myeloma are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service at Fort McClellan.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the November 2020 AOJ letter was not an appealable decision.

The Board has found errors in obtaining all relevant treatment records, particularly those related to the Veteran's dementia and skin cancer. The case is being remanded for the AOJ to obtain these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher disability ratings or separate compensable ratings for his conditions.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at intermediate rates for specific periods and maximum rate after August 23, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 27, 2007. The Board has granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC based on housebound status were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 9, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied as the evidence did not show that he required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities between February 25, 2016 and November 1, 2017.

The Board has denied an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, as the evidence does not show that the condition required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, congestive heart failure, tinnitus, and diabetes has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.