Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have diabetes or sleep apnea due to service, and left knee replacement is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that new and relevant evidence was not presented to support these claims.

The Board has remanded several claims, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could support a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral cataracts with dry eye syndrome of both lacrimal glands and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxic environmental agents (TERAs) during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA examination or opinion addressing the Veteran's TERAs.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II has been granted an 80 percent evaluation, but no higher, effective July 7, 2023. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to a lack of hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to inadequate notice and unclear reasoning in the denial. The Board will provide proper notice, clarify the reasons for the denial, and ensure legally adequate reasons and bases are provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to presumed exposure during his service aboard a ship in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA TBI examination to determine if any head injury residuals, including TBI residuals, had their onset during active service or are related to any incident of service. Service connection is not granted for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought (service connection) has already been granted.,An increased rating of 20 percent for left knee strain with instability from August 17, 2021, is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee strain with limitation of flexion has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and diabetes due to new and relevant evidence. The left shoulder disability claim is denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, foot disability (drop foot), hand disability (numbness in the hand), neck disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of eye disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, and arteriosclerosis obliterans due to unavailability of service treatment records and personnel records. The VA is required to schedule the appellant for appropriate examinations to determine the probable nature, date(s) of initial onset, and etiology/etiologies of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 18, 2023, for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's prostate disability is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities are granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's service exposure and the need to verify the vessel's position on or near April 5, 1969. The appeal is based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are granted as they are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 2, 2017 are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, residuals of TIA (stroke), dysarthric dysphagia secondary to stroke, and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.