Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right heel condition have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in these cases.,For his extra-skeletal osteosarcoma, diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia claims, the Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine if there is a relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no medical evidence linking it to active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, but more information is needed to determine if the diabetes aggravated the hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and heart disability due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of ratings in excess of 20 percent for various diabetic and nerve conditions, as well as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's right pectoralis tear with right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff strain is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other impairment.,The linear surgical scar in the right pectoral region measures 10 cm x 0.5 cm and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 due to its small size and lack of pain or instability.,Diabetes mellitus Type II is rated at the minimum noncompensable rating, as it requires restricted diet and/or oral glycemic agent but no daily insulin injection or activity restriction.,Actinic keratosis with chloracne has not covered 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, nor required any systemic treatment.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board is remanding his claims of service connection for right mandible fracture and left corneal abrasion.,Service connection for diabetes was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA will need to provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected spine disability, through obesity as an intermediate step. The decision states that there is no persuasive medical evidence suggesting that the spine disability limited the Veteran's ability to exercise to such a degree that it caused him to become obese or worsened his obesity.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a failure to provide a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and heart condition are granted service connection. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) and colon cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection for nuclear cataracts, GERD, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee instability were denied. A separate 20 percent evaluation for a left knee meniscal tear was granted.

The Board has determined that the August 2021 rating decision on appeal did not adequately address the Veteran's claim for service connection of DM2 as secondary to Sleep Apnea and Somatic Symptom Disorder. The matter is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn may have caused DM2.

The Veteran's death was caused by diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, which are presumed to be service-connected due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or chronic conditions that would warrant presumptive service connection. The Board also found no direct service connection based on the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not related to his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The appeal of evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea with left phrenic nerve paralysis associated with diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for trigeminal neuralgia.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the August 2022 rating decision, as there was no qualifying review request on that decision. The appellant's argument regarding a supplemental claim for TDIU is not considered valid.