Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for several issues, including increased evaluations and service connection claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for sleep apnea has been withdrawn and dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for SMC for the loss of use of the creative organ has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes, both related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The ED is also connected to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU. The Board has identified several records that are not in the claims file, including SSA records and VA treatment records from VistA Imaging system. These records may be relevant to the instant appeals.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. Service connection for hypertension is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral eye disorder due to a duty to assist error. The claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues that have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus II, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea with chronic sinusitis.

All issues of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to improper appeal or untimely submission.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and urinary incontinence due to benign prostatic hyperplasia due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions. The decision is pending further review.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes to obtain additional evidence, including treatment records and possibly an examination.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and bilateral cataracts, is granted at a 60% evaluation for the period beginning March 26, 2018. The issue of separate service connection for headaches secondary to his service-connected conditions remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left or right diabetic foot disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim. The claims for service connection for bilateral diabetic foot disabilities are denied. The claim for service connection for gout is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the December 2023 VA medical opinion.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, which was initially granted in July 2012. The appeal pertained to the same case and involved a Nehmer review.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while in Subic Bay, Philippines. The AOJ is instructed to contact appropriate agencies to verify the Veteran's potential exposure to Agent Orange during his service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for nephrolithiasis is granted due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Diabetes mellitus, type 2, is not subject to presumptive service connection from exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune. Service connection cannot be awarded on this basis.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety disorder, thyroid disorder, and diabetes. The claims for hiatal hernia, back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,Separate disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic eye disorders (diabetic retinopathy) are remanded due to conflicting medical records.