Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The appeal is dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically obtaining missing VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for diabetes, as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran claims that his service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated obesity, which led to diabetes. However, the VA examiners did not provide adequate rationale in their opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated obesity and if this obesity was a substantial factor in causing diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for myxoid inflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma and diabetes mellitus type II, both presumed to be due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's obesity and subsequent diabetes are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be sent back to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding this theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his entire appeal concerning service connection for cervical strain, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, dizziness reported as vertigo, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's ocular disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), skin rash, infection, cardiomyopathy, fluid around the heart, mesothelioma, and PTSD. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's exposure to toxins, including asbestos, and herbicide agents during his active service.

The Board has dismissed all increased rating claims and the special monthly compensation claim due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and kidney disability due to lack of a current diagnosis and no causal relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Board denied service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart condition as there was no evidence of onset or relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied except for the RUE diabetic neuropathy, which was granted a 40 percent rating effective from July 25, 2019. The LLE diabetic neuropathy claim is also granted with a 40 percent rating since January 20, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The Board also granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has identified errors in the prior decision and has ordered remand for further investigation into the Veteran's claimed service exposure to herbicide agents, particularly during his TDY assignments in Vietnam. The issues of diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, aortic and vein disability, left lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and vertigo are all remanded for further review.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed. A rating of 70 percent, but no higher, has been granted for PTSD effective from March 11, 2024.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DMII is granted. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted with an effective date of July 25, 2019. The decision is based on new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.