Diabetes decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and low back disability to correct duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the March 2023 decision on appeal.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypothyroidism while granting increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities, hearing loss (left ear), and a compensable evaluation for scars, burns (2nd degree).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, as the probative evidence did not establish that his diabetes required one or more daily injections of insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Board granted service connection for polyuria, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, and loss of use of both feet, as well as an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for diabetes, and remanded the claim for back pain.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 17, 2021 for the grant of entitlement to individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and restored a 50 percent rating for other unspecified anxiety disorder and a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic kidney disease and skin cancer was dismissed, while his claim for a rating of 100 percent for PTSD was granted. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for proliferative diabetic retinopathy with pseudophakia, finding no evidence that it was caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to the Veteran's active military service, including any claimed exposure to herbicides or toxic substances.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, IVDS to include as secondary to a right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a noninitial compensable rating for right periorchitis, service connection for diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis, and remanded several other claims including those for psychological disability, genitourinary disability, left periorchitis (secondary), epilepsy, individual unemployability, and COPD.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to obtain a new VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to the development of diabetes.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, type I and II, right foot osteoarthritis, headaches, steatosis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic retinopathy, both presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Thailand. The claim for a heart condition was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus on a secondary basis due to the need for a medical nexus opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for impaired fasting glucose claimed as diabetes mellitus and a kidney condition due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the issues for further evidentiary development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.