Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 25, 2023. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was insufficient evidence to substantiate his unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and presumed exposure to herbicides is granted. The claim for skin condition of the scalp remains denied, as does the claim for right eye blindness due to presumed secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the petitions to readjudicate claims for service connection for groin rash, erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorder, right and left testicular disabilities, and DM II due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claims for right and left testicular disabilities and DM II are granted based on new evidence submitted since the June 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD is granted at a 60 percent level prior to August 25, 2022. An increased rating in excess of 60 percent from that date is denied. SMC at the housebound rate is granted since March 9, 2021. The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and nerve impairments are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to a lack of supporting documentation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment in the past and can perform substantially gainful employment despite his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatic cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances in service is more likely related to his condition.,Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to CIDP. The VA examiner opined that the increase in disability with Prednisone treatment caused an exacerbation of the Veteran's diabetes.

Service connection for myeloid leukemia and diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or chronicity.,The Veteran's current conditions were not incurred during service and are not related to any in-service environmental hazards.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits for ambulance transportation to the Iowa City VAMC on November 15, 2019. The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had an emergent condition and was transported from his home to a non-VA emergency room and then to the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for asthma, IBS, diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to incomplete medical records and failure to provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, but the evidence does not support a finding that he is solely unemployable due to one specific condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his active military service, and there is no evidence linking the conditions that caused his death (cardiopulmonary arrest, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) to his time in service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, effective June 9, 2010. The Veteran was diagnosed with the condition in 2007 and his claim was based on herbicide exposure from nautical service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to exposure to harmful noise during active duty.,DEA benefits are granted from September 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required regulation of activities prior to September 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for Alzheimer's disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.,The effective dates for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities and erectile dysfunction have been set at August 10, 2022.

The Veteran is seeking financial assistance in adapting his current home to be fully accessible.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices, qualifying him for specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 9, 2021, for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II. The decision is based on the Veteran's timely submission of a complete application after VA notified him that his incomplete application required his signature.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that the disability required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent.,The Veteran's tinnitus was rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board noted that factors warranting extraschedular rating were not shown.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not cause impairment requiring a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.