Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for low back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, were remanded by the Board.,Both conditions are currently rated based on their direct effects rather than any presumption or secondary relationship to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for parkinsonism and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of VA examinations. The other claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart disability and diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to their combined effects on his physical abilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 12, 2022, but no earlier, for service connection of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (RLPAD), Left Foot Little and Third Toe Amputation, Left Foot Great Toe Amputation, and Left Lower Extremity Residual Surgical Scars.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, DM II, and CKD secondary to the appellant's service-connected right knee disability and adjustment disorder with depression and mixed anxiety. The ratings are assigned based on these connections.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his service and has been granted service connection.,The issue of diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) being secondary to PTSD remains pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Veteran's spouse is granted an effective date of April 12, 2022 for dependency compensation based on the establishment of a disability rating in the percentage evaluation specified by law.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and coronary (heart) artery disease as due to obesity, which is an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected lower back disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, a right shoulder disorder, erectile dysfunction, and cardiovascular and kidney disorders. The appeals were dismissed as there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 12, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC/A&A) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents near the Korean DMZ during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disability, sarcoidosis, and diabetes due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination. The claim for TDIU prior to March 10, 2016 remains pending.

The Board vacates the September 2022 decision denying service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to the passage of the PACT Act, which expanded presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service was not found to be in offshore Vietnam or any other location where herbicide exposure is presumed. As a result, his claim for service connection cannot be substantiated.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (radial nerve) and left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was dismissed as the benefit has been previously granted.,Service connection for BLE peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes on a causation basis is now granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or service connection prior to September 1, 2024.,Service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes were also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II is granted as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, leukemia, and prostate cancer. The evidence submitted was cumulative and did not tend to prove or disprove any matters at issue.

The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are complications of his diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board grants earlier effective dates for these conditions starting from July 18, 2024.

The Veteran's SMC is denied as he does not have a separate and distinct disability rated at 50 percent or more, which would be required for the intermediate step of SMC(p).