Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance level for his nonservice-connected left lower and upper extremities, as well as service-connected right upper and lower extremities. The appellant is also entitled to SMC based on two separate awards of SMC (l).

The Veteran's service connection claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his active-duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; ischemic cardiomyopathy, to include CAD and a pacemaker, status post quadruple bypass; left and right lower extremity PAD; and CKD. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims as you are no longer alive.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral interstitial fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The issues include determining if the Veteran's diabetes is secondary to his service-connected condition and whether he had undiagnosed sleep apnea during service.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes, hypertension, or ischemic heart disease during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The reasons given were that the evidence did not establish a chronic disease during service or within one year of separation, and there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2017, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for agoraphobia, claimed as PTSD. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions (erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to exposure to chemicals/defoliants during active duty in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures, issue a formal finding if possible, and then refer the case to an appropriate clinician for medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the conditions with consideration of the reported exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes due to herbicide agent exposure, as there was not substantial compliance with the June 2021 Board remand directives regarding verification of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to issues with defining what constitutes 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis and considering whether VA should obtain private treatment records from a non-VA provider.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, Meniere's disease, diabetes, tendonitis of the right wrist, mild osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild osteoarthritis of the right knee, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the remaining issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical evidence, including treatment records from private providers, and to schedule examinations for the appellant's right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies of the feet, left elbow disability, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,Diabetic left foot ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis for diabetes mellitus, type II due to in-service Agent Orange exposure. Secondary service connection is also granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hyperlipidemia, temporal arteritis and giant cell arteritis with elevated sedimentation rate, headaches, coronary artery disease, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and eye disease. The appeal is based on exposure to aviation fuel during service.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to toxic substances in service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to high cholesterol, visual disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and ischemic heart disease have been granted under the PACT Act. The claim for bilateral shoulder disability remains pending.