Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is currently rated as 60 percent disabling, and a separate rating for kidney stones is granted. The criteria for an initial higher rating for diabetic nephropathy are not met.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities, diabetic bilateral peripheral neuropathy, upper extremities, glaucoma, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal of severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea because the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and right foot neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's VA treatment records from June 2023 to December 2021 are not in the claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as due to service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with PTSD. However, the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of secondary service connection for upper and lower extremity neurological symptoms are also being remanded.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, finding that the evidence supports a moderately severe incomplete paralysis level.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot calluses, right foot calluses, a neck disability, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), lower back disability, and right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for left forearm skin cancer, left shoulder skin cancer, and a respiratory condition due to potential service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's pre-diabetes claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for Total Disability Rating for Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria, and an increased rating for psychiatric disorder prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 10, 2021, based on the Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngeal cancer, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between any of the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus, to include entitlement to separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction, urinary frequency, diverticular disease, and fatty liver disease, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding increased ratings for an adjustment disorder, left and right leg neuropathy, and diabetes.

The Veteran's death is attributed to his service-connected hypertension and diabetes, which were found to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in January 2024.