Diabetes Board decisions

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and bilateral cataracts, is granted at a 60% evaluation for the period beginning March 26, 2018. The issue of separate service connection for headaches secondary to his service-connected conditions remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left or right diabetic foot disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim. The claims for service connection for bilateral diabetic foot disabilities are denied. The claim for service connection for gout is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the December 2023 VA medical opinion.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, which was initially granted in July 2012. The appeal pertained to the same case and involved a Nehmer review.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while in Subic Bay, Philippines. The AOJ is instructed to contact appropriate agencies to verify the Veteran's potential exposure to Agent Orange during his service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for nephrolithiasis is granted due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Diabetes mellitus, type 2, is not subject to presumptive service connection from exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune. Service connection cannot be awarded on this basis.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety disorder, thyroid disorder, and diabetes. The claims for hiatal hernia, back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,Separate disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic eye disorders (diabetic retinopathy) are remanded due to conflicting medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities worsened to the point of unemployability between June 1, 2022 and August 9, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a causal relationship to service.,Specifically, the Board found that hyperlipidemia is not considered a disability for VA purposes and pre-diabetes does not constitute a diagnosed disability. Obesity was also deemed not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The Board also found that the effective dates of these grants are August 5, 2021.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as his death occurred during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, with effects from the medication for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as these conditions are considered manifestations of previously service-connected disabilities. The appeals for type two diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence secondary to prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer or post-operative residuals of left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's entitlement to a restoration of 90% disability rating for nuclear cataract and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, both eyes, is granted effective August 1, 2022. The earlier effective date claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound criteria is also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and CAD have been granted effective March 27, 2019. The claims were initially filed in July 2013, but the effective date was adjusted to August 10, 2022 due to a PACT Act change.

The Veteran's left knee post total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating allowed for this condition. The appeal was denied as his disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has required prescribed hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, but not insulin or regulation of activities. The Board denied an initial higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver cysts, claimed as liver spots, due to inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined issues.