Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,There is no evidence in the record showing that the Veteran had any of these disabilities at any time during or recent to the filing of his claim.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The diabetes was rated at the minimum level, with no need for insulin or restricted activities. The lower extremity neuropathies met the criteria for a 20 percent rating but not higher. The upper extremity neuropathies also met the criteria for a 30-40 percent rating but not higher. The cardiac disability was rated at the minimum level, with no need for insulin or restricted activities.

The Board denied a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability, finding that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, hypertension, a cervical spine disability (claimed as chronic muscle tension), diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for arthritis, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and diabetes. The appellant is also seeking TDIU based on her spouse's service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed because the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted by a February 2024 rating decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death prior to or during the pendency of the appeal.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus (DM) with erectile dysfunction and nephropathy is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. Dermatitis/skin lesions and intermittent seizures, related to exposure to Agent Orange, are not before the Board as they were not included within one year of the April 2023 VA form 10182 submission.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on three conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves, hypothyroidism, and erectile dysfunction with effective dates of March 19, 2021.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral knee amputation with peripheral vascular disease, chronic microvascular ischemia, chronic kidney disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and ankle conditions, but remanded the claim for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple conditions was granted effective February 8, 2021. However, payment of VA disability benefits began on March 1, 2021, due to the specific regulations governing the commencement of such payments.

The Veteran's diabetes and colorectal cancer are granted for accrued benefits purposes due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. His left ear hearing loss and right ankle tendonitis and sprain are denied, while his allergic rhinitis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the retroactive award of service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while the appeals for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were remanded.