Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, chronic kidney disease, COPD, coronary artery disease/congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus II, and hypertension due to exposure to asbestos while serving as a machinist mate in the Navy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions based on the Veteran's service history and any other relevant evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes type II, finding that it is caused by and/or aggravated by his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and ischemic heart disease due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which suggests possible exposure to herbicide agents during his deployment in Korea. The VA will now seek verification of this exposure and provide additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be etiologically related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, and the LLE peripheral neuropathy is found to be due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist violation where the VA Regional Office incorrectly denied the appellant's supplemental claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death. The matter is now being adjudicated again.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate examinations and unclear findings.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities and an eye disorder, including cataracts, pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome, and arcus. The issues are related to secondary service connection.,Service connection is being sought for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as a result of diabetes mellitus type II and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Service connection is also sought for an eye disorder including cataracts, pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome, and arcus as a complication of Stargardt's macular dystrophy and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity and right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of current diagnosis of these conditions related to active service or his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence from a VA specialist regarding his dermatomyositis and related conditions. The case must be returned for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD from August 23, 2022. He also received SMC at the 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate due to his diabetes mellitus with associated bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II may be related to service or toxic exposure during service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically right shoulder arthroplasty and left iliotibial band release.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a TERA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes is related to his active service, particularly his toxic exposure in Southwest Asia, and/or due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran was awarded SMC(o) based on the presence of two distinct disabilities that required regular aid and attendance, including 24-hour care by caretakers under supervision of licensed professionals. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher level of SMC(r)(2) due to his need for daily personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.

The Veteran's bladder incontinence is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obesity as an intermediary factor. The Veteran's PTSD is claimed to have caused or aggravated his diagnosed diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA emergency care provided by LEMS on April 15, 2023 is granted. The decision was based on the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 and related regulations.