Diabetes Board decisions

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.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, basal cell carcinoma, and residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture and repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to obtain an opinion from an environmental toxicologist regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee patella-femoral syndrome, finding that the current disability is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea. The chronic disease presumption was not applicable due to lack of showing of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted with a 40 percent evaluation, effective from September 21, 2021. The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD have been granted. Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. PTSD is denied as there is no verifiable stressor.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at a 20% effective October 24, 2022. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. However, an examination is needed to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure or another basis.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is not service-connected. The Board found that his other service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cardiovascular disease, left shoulder condition, scars, kidney condition, TBI residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, diverticulitis, gastritis, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete service records.

Effective dates for service connection and associated disabilities have been granted.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.,Effective date of June 3, 2011, has been established for the left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.