Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed due to a procedural defect in how the appeal was filed and docketed under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and various peripheral neuropathies, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted an effective date of September 20, 2019, for the award of SMC based on A&A.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to a lack of qualifying service in the Republic of Vietnam for presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service was found not to be within 12 nautical miles of the coast, thus not meeting the criteria for Blue Water Navy Veterans Act protections.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied, with the claim for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM2, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as he requires only non-insulin medication for management.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus is granted at a 40 percent level, effective September 21, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and specifically noting that he was not exposed to herbicides during service. The decision also states that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's diabetes and any in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have resulted in a severe degree of functional impairment such that he meets the criteria for loss of use of his feet. As a result, he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral eye conditions are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.

Service connection granted for PTSD related to in-service stressors.,Service connection granted for adjustment disorder with anxious features secondary to service-connected oral cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle injury, left eye injury, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic feet fungus due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as it was granted in a previous decision. The issue of service connection for ulcerative proctitis secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance prior to October 30, 2019. Therefore, entitlement to an effective date prior to that date for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his service noise exposure.,The Veteran's DM II was not incurred in service.,The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus (post-surgery left foot bunionectomy residuals) was not incurred in service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping.,The Veteran's lower back pain was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for kidney disorder, left lower extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, cold weather injury such as frostbite of the upper and lower extremities, and headaches have been denied due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and its related conditions such as erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and thrombosis with sciatic nerve involvement, have been granted effective from February 1, 2017. The Veteran is also awarded special monthly compensation for the loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathies affecting his lower extremities, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance are met.