Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve were found to not warrant higher disability ratings as the evidence did not show that regulation of activities was required for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with his other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension as they require further development under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted with effective dates of June 26, 2014. The conditions include arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft, DMII, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity, femoral nerve, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity, femoral nerve, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right upper extremity, radial nerve, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left upper extremity, radial nerve. These conditions are associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's right leg amputation is being reviewed for service connection, including as secondary to another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's OSA and HT are granted service connection, while his DM is denied as secondary to OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.,The Board finds that a duty to assist occurred in these secondary service-connection claims, requiring further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by cerebral stroke, vascular dementia, and cardiorespiratory arrest. The Board finds that a medical opinion is necessary to determine if his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II played a role in causing or aggravating these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the above-captioned claims at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type I as a chronic disease, finding that the Veteran's disability manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection due to its onset during the first post-service year.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and lumbosacral disabilities. The decision finds that obesity was an intermediate step between these conditions and the current diagnosis of diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the current diagnosis is not related to any in-service injury or disease and concluded that it was more likely secondary to his service-connected depression, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disorder, kidney disease, nephropathy, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from December 8, 2020 and SMC at the housebound rate from June 24, 2021 due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Diabetes Mellitus, Type II. The decision is based on a finding that NAFLD was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board remands the claim for an updated VA medical opinion and a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion due to the Veteran's presumptive toxic exposure as conceded by VA.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II prior to August 10, 2022, due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral postoperative cataracts and diabetic retinopathy prior to May 5, 2016.