Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted increased disability evaluations to 40 percent for the right-upper-extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 30 percent for the left-upper-extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective from January 23, 2018. The claims for increased disability evaluations in excess of 20 percent for both lower extremities have been denied.

The Board partially vacated its decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus due to the PACT Act, and remanded the issue for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected conditions and other health issues.

The Veteran's daughter, A.G., is recognized as a helpless child due to her severe medical conditions and cognitive impairments that rendered her incapable of self-support prior to turning 18.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his orthopedic conditions and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and an error in finding that VA satisfied its duty to assist. The Veteran's National Guard military personnel records need to be obtained, as well as updated treatment records from Flowers Hospital. An additional medical opinion is needed regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided that the remand for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea is necessary due to inadequate development and findings in previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period of October 5, 2012 through July 12, 2023.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a combined 70% service-connected disability rating at the time of his death. However, since none of his service-connected disabilities were rated as totally disabling, the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's stroke residuals are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, skin condition, and bilateral foot condition due to inadequate rationale in previous opinions and unclear nature of in-service exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment on an extraschedular basis from January 21, 2009 to May 30, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus due to inadequate opinions and a need for additional medical examination. The case is also remanded for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for impairment of the right lower extremity, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to October 8, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including pes planus, back impairment, right hip impairment, gastritis, diabetes, and related neuropathies have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the claim was filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a toxic exposure risk activity medical opinion regarding diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are remanded for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's current disabilities are linked to his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, GI condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder, due to exposure to chemicals at Camp Carroll in the Republic of Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for small cell lymphoproliferative disorder and diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. However, additional development is needed before these claims can be fully adjudicated.