Diabetes Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, and the diseases did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, non-obstructive coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, type II, all of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Right leg amputation is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure and that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's renal dysfunction, including persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN 40 to 80mg%; creatinine 4 to 8mg%, was not severe enough to warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or any other basis for service connection.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right ankle instability and left ankle instability, effective December 29, 2022. The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendinopathy with forefoot callouses associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

Your service connection claims have been granted, but the Board cannot provide further relief as your benefits are now fully awarded.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty. Service connection for a right-hand disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction. The claim of increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy with pseudophakia of the right eye and cataract of the left eye associated with diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on visual impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Guam. The evidence is in equipoise regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to April 21, 2011, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA). The AOJ must submit these claims to the Executive Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice and clarification of reasons for denial, as well as legal adequacy issues. The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits will be reconsidered under appropriate criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim from January 30, 2012 onward.

The RO granted an aid and attendance allowance effective August 3, 2023. The Board finds a duty to notify error due to not informing the appellant about earlier effective dates for aid and attendance based on need.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional medical opinions on whether fatigue is aggravated by service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and/or caused or aggravated by PTSD, heart conditions, and/or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, bilateral foot pain with tingling and numbness, and left hand pain to include numbness and tingling have been dismissed. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related claims.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear notice and the need for further clarification of eligibility criteria. The VA will provide proper notice, clarify the reason for the denial, and evaluate the Veteran's need for personal care services based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than October 20, 2022, for a 80 percent rating for service-connected diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy of the bilateral eyes. The appropriate effective date is October 20, 2022.