Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. §1114(o) and SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. §1114(r)(1), based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scars.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to protect himself from daily living hazards.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status was also denied as he does not meet the statutory or factual criteria for an award of SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral kidney condition, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), right hip condition, left hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The issues related to a right knee condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 9, 2017 were denied as the effective date of service connection was set at that time based on a new claim received by VA.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 6, 2019 for the service connection of diabetic neuropathy in multiple lower and upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to prepare meals, manage medications, and perform daily activities. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular TDIU consideration prior to November 8, 2010 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA opinion is needed to assess whether the diabetes is related to service, including an improper diet while in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and an increased rating for right thigh scars have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected DM II, including diabetic complications. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings and the service connection effective dates for erectile dysfunction, right ear hearing loss, prostate cancer, diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease have been dismissed due to withdrawal of these appeals.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for prostate cancer, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence in the record indicating that he filed an informal claim prior to the respective effective dates.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for high cholesterol, left heel contusions, and initial compensable rating for right eye scar. The appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss claims are remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his condition does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as his ischemic brain injury, cardiac arrest, ischemic cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran's condition did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge and is not otherwise causally related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected DM II and diabetic complications. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches have been granted a 50% disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision.,The Veteran's IBS has been granted service connection based on a qualifying chronic disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's initial maximum schedular rating of 10 percent for status post bunionectomy, right foot, is granted. Other service-connected conditions are not rated higher.