Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and certificates of eligibility for SAH and SHA grant is dismissed.,A rating of 100 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective August 18, 2020, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's diabetes is not service connected as it did not develop due to his service-connected neck disorder, and the evidence does not support a secondary service connection based on obesity.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals for earlier effective dates in her claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, right toe disability, right shoulder strain, and hypertension. The Veteran's right toe disability was granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA secured medical opinions were inadequate and requires additional opinions to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused obesity, if obesity was a substantial factor in causing diabetes, and whether diabetes would not have occurred but for obesity. The decision also notes that an intermediate step theory of entitlement is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and skin cancer due to a failure to obtain adequate opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service, including asbestos, PFAs, drinking water chemicals, and a burn pit. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether the current diagnoses are at least as likely as not caused by these exposures.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and pseudophakia, as well as the grants of service connection for right upper extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, are all denied prior to December 27, 2019.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 with diabetes mellitus type 1, finding that the earliest effective date was January 23, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and a skin issue on the legs and arms due to diabetes mellitus Type II has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of November 13, 2018. The Board granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection issues, including left leg neuropathy, right leg neuropathy, sinus, rhinitis, asthma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroids, PTSD, diabetes, heart, right hemiparesis, cervical, and other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PCAFC eligibility is being remanded due to a lack of explanation for denying his eligibility, and the need for an opinion on whether it is in his best interest to participate in the program.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2019.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the decision-making process and requires additional medical opinions to clarify the Veteran's diagnosis, assess the relationship between his service-connected conditions and DMII, and consider potential toxic exposure. The case is therefore remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus and its relationship to service, obesity, and hypertension.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, and polyneuropathy have been granted service connection and assigned initial disability ratings. The effective date for the prostate cancer residuals is February 13, 2018.