Diabetes decisions — 2024

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and COPD are being remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran was exposed to burn pits during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is denied as there is no current disability or evidence of such during service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions dismissing claims for service connection for skin conditions, and remanded the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus. The issues are now pending before the Board again.

Effective dates of December 8, 2011 are granted for service connection for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, erectile dysfunction, and renal failure. Effective date of February 19, 2013 is granted for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD).

The appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the right lower extremity have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which has been granted service connection. However, the appellant did not have a pending claim for diabetes mellitus type II or ischemic heart disease at the time of the Veteran's death, so accrued benefits are denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,The Veteran's renal failure is granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The claim was not submitted within the 90-day period following the Board hearing, and there was no duty-to-assist error related to this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied, and the effective date of this award is not earlier than October 19, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim of service connection for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of housebound status is moot as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including private medical records and x-rays.

The appeal for an effective date prior to July 14, 2000, for the award of 20 percent disabling of service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed because there was a concurrent election with another pending appeal.

The Veteran's combined rating of 90 percent based on past-due benefits granted in May 2024 is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a direct or presumptive basis for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy, as well as lack of herbicide exposure.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy, as well as special monthly compensation (SMC) (k), based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II caused or contributed to his death. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's blood sugar levels on October 22, 2000, which were noted to be high and potentially life-threatening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, diabetes, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 26, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II). The decision is based on an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed. Prior to January 20, 2020, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating for ventral diastasis. From January 20, 2020 onwards, he received a 10% rating for this condition.