Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain his complete service treatment records and conflicting information regarding his social security number and date of birth. The issues will be reconsidered after these matters have been addressed.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and none of his service-connected conditions were significant contributors to his death. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU as he could perform sedentary work despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Board also finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not having a VA examination prior to the rating decision on appeal and remands the case for such an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as due to dioxin and/or herbicide exposure or as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if their diabetes mellitus type II was caused by or worsened by PTSD medication.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is caused or aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The VA must provide a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with an effective date of January 28, 2022. The Board found that the current disability requirement for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II was met from January 28, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and sciatic neuropathy associated with his diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2008. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2008 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 4, 2015, for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and a compensable evaluation for hypertension are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6847.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy (all radicular groups), left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy (all radicular groups), right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (sciatic nerve), and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 8513, 8513, 8520, or 8520.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The claims of service connection for essential tremors and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's claims are based on a direct relationship to service, not exposure to herbicides.

The Board dismissed the motion to reverse or revise the March 2019 RO rating decision that denied service connection for a back condition and diabetes mellitus, as the Appellant lacked standing due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria. The Veteran was granted a combined rating of 80 percent for his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease rated at 100 percent, which alone qualifies him for TDIU.

The Board has restored service connection for carotid artery stenosis, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM II), and erectile dysfunction (ED). Additionally, the entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ and housebound status have been reinstated. The appeal was not about exposure to Agent Orange or any other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is not considered further.

The Board has decided that more development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and thyroid glands disability with cysts due to exposure during service. The VA examinations were not adequate, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus was granted effective January 5, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest scar is denied as the date of entitlement predates his November 24, 2020 claim.,The Veteran's heart disability remains at a 30% evaluation from April 1, 2021 onwards.,The Veteran's chest scarring does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has vacated the June 4, 2024 decision and remanded for further action on claims of effective dates and ratings for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy.