Diabetes decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and cervical spine disability were dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied, as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to inadequate development of the claim regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypotension were denied. Other issues related to various disabilities were dismissed.

The Board remanded all issues to associate a missing document with the claims file.

The veteran is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 awards of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus is granted on a direct basis prior to August 10, 2022. The issues of higher initial ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and service connection for several conditions, citing missing records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Veteran's PTSD is related to a personal assault during service, and both hypertension and diabetes are related to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water exposure.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of several conditions related to diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, as well as a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability. The Board also ordered additional actions to obtain missing medical records and schedule new examinations.

The veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD from March 9, 2016, to August 20, 2023, and TDIU due to PTSD. The effective date for SMC housebound benefits was set to September 11, 2018, and for diabetic dermopathy to July 29, 2014. Issues regarding the initial rating for diabetic dermopathy and higher rating for left knee disability were remanded.

The veteran's appeals for higher ratings were dismissed because he withdrew all pending claims and appeals.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was granted. The claims for neuropathy in both lower extremities and lung cancer were remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and xerostomia (dry mouth) is granted. Other claims are denied or remanded.

The appeal was dismissed without prejudice due to the veteran's death.