Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities worsened to the point of unemployability between June 1, 2022 and August 9, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a causal relationship to service.,Specifically, the Board found that hyperlipidemia is not considered a disability for VA purposes and pre-diabetes does not constitute a diagnosed disability. Obesity was also deemed not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The Board also found that the effective dates of these grants are August 5, 2021.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as his death occurred during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, with effects from the medication for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as these conditions are considered manifestations of previously service-connected disabilities. The appeals for type two diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence secondary to prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer or post-operative residuals of left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's entitlement to a restoration of 90% disability rating for nuclear cataract and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, both eyes, is granted effective August 1, 2022. The earlier effective date claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound criteria is also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and CAD have been granted effective March 27, 2019. The claims were initially filed in July 2013, but the effective date was adjusted to August 10, 2022 due to a PACT Act change.

The Veteran's left knee post total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating allowed for this condition. The appeal was denied as his disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has required prescribed hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, but not insulin or regulation of activities. The Board denied an initial higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver cysts, claimed as liver spots, due to inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes and a brain tumor with memory loss, to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder DJD with rotator cuff strain, LOM, DM, and HTN. The Veteran's conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer were granted with an effective date of March 25, 2014. The rating assigned was 10% for each condition as of July 12, 2022.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for diabetic nephropathy as secondary to hypertension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's current hearing testimony will be considered, and the matter will be deferred until the hypertension issue is adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete service records and lack of verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination to address the severity of his conditions and whether they require regulation of activity.

The rating reduction for bilateral preoperative cataracts and retinopathy was improper, so the disability rating is restored to 30 percent. The claim for service connection for a right ankle condition is dismissed as it has been fully resolved.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disorder to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of military records confirming service in Vietnam, which is necessary for establishing presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.