Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for obesity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty, left foot disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy are not rated higher than the current levels. The earlier effective dates for service connection of these conditions have also been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7913, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he only required restricted diet and an oral hypoglycemic agent.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2011 for service connection of the Veteran's lower extremity diabetic neuropathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran based on his contentions that symptoms began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type I and its associated diabetic neuropathy conditions are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will need to provide a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I and whether it is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathies have been denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than December 6, 2022 as per VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and headache disorder (migraines) due to new evidence that may affect their service connection. The VA will seek opinions on whether her obesity, caused by her service-connected disabilities and medications, is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating her current conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to January 17, 2020, for PTSD and February 4, 2020, for diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and various types of peripheral neuropathy, were granted. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the cause and severity of the Veteran's vertigo, diabetes, and pseudophakia.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for beneficiary travel benefits associated with his VA medical appointments on specific dates, finding that the distances from his addresses to the Dallas VAMC are approximately the same.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, including as due to obesity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and squamous cell carcinoma have been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the claim of service connection for type 1 diabetes mellitus (diabetes). The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, both of which are diseases eligible for presumptive service connection due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted a 50 percent rating, but the left upper extremity condition remains at 20 percent.