Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is now pending.

The Veteran's earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus and history of heart murmur have been granted, with the effective date set at January 22, 2021.,The Veteran's earlier effective date for high blood pressure has also been granted, with the effective date set at December 3, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a vision disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on multiple diabetic and amputation conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The initial rating for diabetic nephropathy has been denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria. The claim for erectile dysfunction is also denied as there is no evidence of deformity of the penis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease due to exposure at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during active duty. The claim for secondary service connection for schizoaffective disorder is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension due to a failure to confirm whether he participated in toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during service. The AOJ is required to schedule the Veteran for a TERA examination to assess if his disabilities are related to his potential exposure to PFAS chemicals.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type I, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the sleep apnea is caused by his diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for HLR of the July 25, 2023 SSOC was timely. The AOJ should process the Veteran's timely filed VA Form 20-0996 as it pertains to his claims for entitlement to service connection outlined in the July 2023 SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been received. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the nose and lip is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 24, 2020, and October 8, 2020, by Flat River Family Dentistry due to lack of prior authorization from VA and the absence of a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and lumbar degenerative disc with spondylosis require additional development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's presence in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos is unclear, and VA failed to conduct necessary research into his claimed exposure.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to the claims of service connection for diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), left knee condition, and right knee condition. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, residuals of head and face injury, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), chronic stomach disability, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving aboard a U.S. Navy ship in Vietnam.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type I.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for impaired diastolic dysfunction with diastolic hypertension is granted. The claims for skin disability, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right-sided carpal tunnel syndrome, and left-sided carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.