Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for individual unemployability and Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status is denied due to the lack of a schedular rating meeting the criteria for TDIU or permanent total disability.,The Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a combined 60 percent rating prior to September 2, 2022, which would be required for an effective date earlier than that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's chest pain and dizziness are found to be related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Service connection is granted for these conditions, while diabetes and hypertension are denied as not being caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The sinus disability, to include sinusitis, is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder caused his obesity, which in turn led to diabetes. Therefore, the Veteran's diabetes is granted as secondary to his service-connected insomnia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating possible exposure to toxins during service, and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and that exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and basal cell carcinoma, all of which are found to be caused by the Veteran's exposure to environmental toxins in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's MOS during his period of ACDUTRA in 1960 was auto paint helper, and the Board will determine if he was exposed to TERA by virtue of this MOS.

The Board has denied the appeal challenging the reduction of the Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus rating from 60 percent to 20 percent, effective May 1, 2023. The evidence shows improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. No one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) and sleep disturbances, as well as dismissed her claim for service connection for a right knee condition. The decision also denied her requests for restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for RLE radiculopathy and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the same condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) claims are granted effective March 16, 2016. The effective date for DEA is the same as that for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange and insufficient STRs to support a direct service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to satisfaction with current evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss due to potential application of the PACT Act. The claim for diabetes will be remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between service and the condition, while the hearing loss claim will be reconsidered in light of the actions taken on the diabetes claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension beginning August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. The effective date is not specified as it falls within a presumptive period.,Service connection has also been granted for prostate cancer beginning August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. The effective date is not specified as it falls within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded for further evaluation as the current ratings are not sufficient to reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of lumbar spine disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, warranting readjudication.,The appeal as to the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition, and chronic kidney disease due to a duty to assist error regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Veteran's unit of assignment needs to be verified, and a request should be resubmitted to the Military Records Research Center.