Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cardiomyopathy is found to be the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for cardiomyopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to duty to assist errors and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to August 10, 2022. Beginning August 10, 2022, his combined disability rating is 100 percent and the issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right knee septic arthritis, seizures, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service. The left knee condition was remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus, both claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's travel to a VA medical appointment on May 8, 2024, was related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As the treatment was for a service-connected condition, he is eligible for reimbursement of beneficiary travel.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn. An effective date of October 30, 2017, and not earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted a 30 percent rating. The ratings for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension to satisfy a regulatory duty under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as the evidence established that the Veteran's diabetes had its onset within one year of service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further review.,TDIU from June 17, 2021, to November 27, 2023, and as of April 18, 2024, are also being remanded for reconsideration.,As of April 18, 2024, the Veteran's TDIU is denied due to his ability to manage diabetes with oral medication.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 10, 2022 for the award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. The decision is based on the liberalizing law provided by the PACT Act which added hypertension to the list of diseases presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I is granted a 60 percent evaluation from March 18, 2013 to February 1, 2019. Right and left lower extremity sciatica with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are each granted a 20 percent evaluation from April 5, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. Additional records, including SSA disability benefits records, need to be obtained and reviewed by a clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy conditions are currently rated at the minimum level of disability, with no evidence of more severe symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of information verifying exposure to herbicide agents during military service, and because the PACT Act requires VA to provide an examination and obtain a medical opinion addressing the possibility of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and the TERA.