Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran was awarded service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) effective August 4, 2020.,Service connection for Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Upper Extremity (RUE) and Left Upper Extremity (LUE) associated with Diabetes Mellitus, Type II were granted effective February 21, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Fort McClellan and that this condition is presumptively associated with such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 2014 rating decision, as there was no objective evidence for a consistent diagnosis of type II diabetes at that time.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted an increased rating to 10% effective from March 6, 2019.,Her initial claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted an initial rating of 20%, and her request for a higher rating was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes is related to service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, coronary artery disease, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to a failure to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing before VA.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ankle condition, testicular cancer, diabetes, and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient information in the VA examination report. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded all but one of the claims for additional development, particularly to determine whether the Veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to tactical herbicide agents. The dental disability claim is denied as there is no indication or assertion that tactical herbicide agents resulted in a dental disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Higher ratings for upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied due to the severity of symptoms and muscle strength levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical evidence. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand or Vietnam, if not already conceded. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for diabetes and headaches due to a lack of VA examinations, which constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and amputated left toes, require regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that exposure to herbicide agents during service is presumed and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction was restored to a 40 percent rating effective July 1, 2020. The ratings for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy were reduced to zero percent effective the same date.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied due to his history of liver cancer, Hepatitis C, and GERD. The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is flawed due to a lack of underwriting procedures compliance and procedural errors in notification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, and if so, whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) in Korea and had a current diagnosis of the condition. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure due to service in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with obesity acting as an intermediary step.