Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) not including the representative's complete address.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 24, 2016. The conditions leading to the grant of TDIU were already service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of evidence of regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence supporting earlier effective dates or a link to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disorder (other than diabetic retinopathy).

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure by the VA examiner to address a specific medical article in their previous opinion. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent from September 9, 2016 until September 29, 2017.,Since September 29, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has ordered an additional medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes, radiculopathy and CAD. The opinion must also consider if obesity played a role in causing or aggravating the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's need for A&A is related to his service-connected disabilities, other than blindness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left wrist disability and diabetes, rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of September 7, 2021. The Board granted an effective date of September 7, 2021, for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing conducted by AOJ personnel. The Veteran must be provided such notice and scheduled for a hearing if he chooses.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims have been denied. The effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.,An initial compensable rating for hypertension has not been met due to lack of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has found the record inadequate to properly rate the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Board is remanding these matters for further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by the February 2020 VA examiner. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and further development is needed, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 5, 2017.