Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD from August 23, 2022. He also received SMC at the 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate due to his diabetes mellitus with associated bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II may be related to service or toxic exposure during service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically right shoulder arthroplasty and left iliotibial band release.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a TERA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes is related to his active service, particularly his toxic exposure in Southwest Asia, and/or due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran was awarded SMC(o) based on the presence of two distinct disabilities that required regular aid and attendance, including 24-hour care by caretakers under supervision of licensed professionals. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher level of SMC(r)(2) due to his need for daily personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.

The Veteran's bladder incontinence is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obesity as an intermediary factor. The Veteran's PTSD is claimed to have caused or aggravated his diagnosed diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA emergency care provided by LEMS on April 15, 2023 is granted. The decision was based on the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 and related regulations.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, throat cancer with dysphagia, diabetic retinopathy, hypothyroidism, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, and diabetes have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 14, 2021, and earlier effective date for Basic eligibility to Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to chemicals, specifically DDT, during service. The claim will be further developed and a VA medical opinion will be obtained to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to chemical exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus II, including as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, is dismissed because the effective date of the grant of service connection has already been established and no other benefits are available.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 as secondary to his service-connected nephrosclerosis. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine condition (neck condition) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes and service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities was granted, including a TDIU determination. The effective date is set to the date of receipt of the claims (September 6, 2018).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected due to a remand for further examination and opinion. The lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis claim must be remanded as VA did not obtain all relevant private treatment records. The left elbow disability claim also requires additional examination.

The Board has reinstated service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, coronary artery disease (CAD) s/p CABG, CABG scars, non-linear superficial anterior trunk scar, left lower extremity (LLE) scar, right lower extremity (RLE) scar, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The reinstatement is effective from May 1, 2018.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia was denied, and his claim for additional SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(4) at the rate higher than subsection (m) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.