Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to lack of current diagnoses in some cases.

The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension claims are pending. The diabetes claim is denied as the hospitalization was not for a period in excess of 21 days, while the hypertension claim is remanded due to lack of recent examination.

The Board has vacated the May 1, 2023 decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus and nephropathy due to presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II under this presumption. Nephropathy is granted as secondary to the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The claims are remanded for further action regarding other theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type ii, secondary to weight gain due to his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected condition caused him to become obese and if so, whether it was a substantial factor in causing his current diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to being housebound was denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC Housebound, as his disabilities do not satisfy the requirements of a single 100% service-connected disability and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates prior to June 7, 2004 for service connection and entitlement to TDIU due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes mellitus) do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, due to his unemployability due to these conditions, the case is remanded for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's osteoporosis/osteopenia is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various types of peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, and sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is not granted as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all AMA appeals related to service connection for tinnitus and initial disability ratings for lower extremity neuropathies as the appeal was not properly docketed under the AMA system.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner must address whether the DM II aggravated the appellant's obesity, which may be considered as an intermediate step in determining secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to anatomical loss or use of a lower extremity.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a higher rating for diabetes and TDIU prior to June 29, 2022, as the appellant requested withdrawal of all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically Agent Orange. The decision also notes that additional records are needed, including those from the second period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney condition due to a lack of examination and etiology opinions. The case is sent back for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's skin cancer and diabetes mellitus Type II are granted service connection as they are causally related to his exposure to sunlight and toxic chemicals during active duty.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy with open angle glaucoma and diabetic cortical cataracts are currently rated at 50 percent effective March 2, 2016. The Board denied a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes.