Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding in-service stressors, medical opinions needed, and verification of certain conditions. The appeals are now pending again with the VA.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8520.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is caused or worsened by his service-connected disabilities, particularly sleep apnea and other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus have worsened since their last examinations. The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain new VA examinations for these conditions.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has also worsened since his last examination. A remand is required to obtain a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran requests service connection for erectile dysfunction, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for RLS, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's RLS was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for fibromyalgia, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to inadequate development and incomplete record. The Veteran's service connection claim is inextricably intertwined with his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2023 and at 20 percent thereafter. Other claims are remanded.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic and femoral nerve impairment), and TDIU claims are all subject to further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded them to obtain further development regarding herbicide exposure in Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 12, 2012 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 1 with retinopathy and erectile dysfunction is granted. The appeal to revise the February 28, 2002 and September 19, 2007 rating decisions on the basis of CUE is denied.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, CAD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure during a Saturday work detail cleaning aircraft. The PACT Act requires a VA examination and opinion regarding garrison exposure to petroleum-based products.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he did not meet the criteria for non-service-connected burial benefits. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty at the time of discharge.

The Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate is granted from May 1, 2011 to August 12, 2022 due to having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and other disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis due to missing private treatment records. The Veteran needs to provide or authorize VA to obtain his complete private treatment records from Dr. Lyons, and a VA examiner will be consulted to address whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. The appeals for increased ratings of bilateral foot pes planus deformities, diabetes mellitus, gouty arthritis of the bilateral elbows, nephrolithiasis, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The petition to reopen claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, and left below knee amputation with left hip avascular necrosis is granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective December 15, 2016, on a schedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The extraschedular TDIU claim between April 1, 2016, and December 15, 2016, is remanded for further review.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.