Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to a failure to obtain VA medical opinions addressing the Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during his military service. The AOJ must provide these opinions on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as their respective secondary peripheral neuropathies, are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Further development is needed to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, and his claim for service connection for malignant neoplasm of the brain is remanded due to failure to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) due to insufficient evidence in the November 2021 nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of ACD from March 14, 2022 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of DMII prior to November 17, 2021 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, diabetes, and hypertension due to errors in the duty to assist. The claims will be reviewed with additional development considering toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 as secondary to the Veteran's right tibial tubercule excision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in physical impairment requiring regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and MGUS are remanded due to a lack of evidence regarding his exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board will request additional information from the Veteran and review his service records to determine if he was deployed there.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, high blood pressure, right knee disorder, and lumbar disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted with effective dates of August 15, 2019.,Effective March 13, 2020, the Veteran received ratings for various service-connected conditions including stooped postures, diffuse bradykinesia and neuropathy in both lower extremities, mild neurocognitive disorder due to Parkinson's disease, partial loss of smell, speech impairment, sexual dysfunction, right-side buttocks scars, and hypertension.,The effective dates for these ratings are March 13, 2020. The Veteran's service connection claims were previously denied but reopened with new evidence supporting the claims.,Diabetes mellitus was not granted an earlier effective date than August 15, 2019.,Parkinson's disease and related conditions were also not granted an earlier effective date than March 13, 2020.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as presumptively related to his service in Korea due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection. The Board also found no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination regarding the cause of the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and whether it was related to any TERA during his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's active-duty service is presumed to have exposed him to toxic substances, including those associated with the Persian Gulf War. A VA examination is required to determine if his diabetes was incurred in or caused by his active-duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but remanded the cases for further development regarding DM II, OSA, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and renal failure as secondary to diabetes due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service, and because there is no direct or secondary service connection established.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted effective September 6, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted effective September 6, 2013.