Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, prostate cancer, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as they have been granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (sciatic nerve) are granted with ratings of 50% for the period on appeal.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires one or more daily injections of insulin and a restricted diet, but it has not required regulation of activities. The Board denied the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU effective date prior to September 20, 2017, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes type 2 have been granted. However, the claims for kidney disease and diabetes type 2 were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and its relationship to his service-connected sleep apnea. The AOJ must obtain additional medical opinions addressing both causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for HIV, diabetes mellitus, type II, a heart condition, a kidney condition, a back disability, and bilateral hip disability due to inadequate development under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) and potential need for compliance with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires one or more daily injections of insulin and a restricted diet, but it has not required regulation of activities. The Board denied the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted due to his service-connected diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior decision. The Board requires an examination to determine if his bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome caused or aggravated his weight gain, which is believed to have contributed to his development of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is related to his multiple service-connected disabilities and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Diabetes Mellitus type II, with Hypertension, Erectile Dysfunction and Bilateral Eye Diabetic Retinopathy. The decision is based on two private opinions that support a causal relationship between the service-connected conditions and the development of OSA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension was dismissed as untimely due to the filing of an untimely VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus (DM II) remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 13, 2020 for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for RLE PVD. The appellant's DPN was found to have progressed to include the femoral nerves in both lower extremities as of August 15, 2020.,The Board denied entitlement to an effective date prior to August 15, 2020 for service connection of bilateral lower extremity DPN, femoral nerve and sciatic nerve. The appellant's DPN was found not to have progressed to include the femoral nerves in both lower extremities until August 15, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 (DM II) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims of service connection for a headache disability, low back disability, and heart disability remain denied.