Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and mood disorder, finding that obesity was a substantial factor in causing the diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and need for regular aid and attendance due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including balance disability, skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, heart disorder, and prostate disability, were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of any of these conditions, or a link to service, particularly given the long latency periods involved in some of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is denied as there is no current diagnosis of asthma in the claims file.,An initial 30 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis is granted, subject to further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and OSA are not related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for service connection are therefore remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 8, 2023 for the award of increased disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy affecting the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's effective dates for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes have been granted from April 6, 2022.,The Veteran's prostate cancer increased rating issue and entitlement to TDIU are pending on remand.

The Board restored service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity radial nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity radial nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was not severed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, presumed due to Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's lung cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes and migraines is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT). Additionally, outstanding private treatment records are needed. A new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's migraines will also be required.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, considered as one disability, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU since October 9, 2024. The Board found that his service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxic respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, and pea cardiac arrest with a likely neurological versus respiratory etiology. The service-connected hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.

An effective date of February 10, 2004, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is granted.,An effective date of December 12, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence to support the claims.,The Veteran's claim for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis was granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to service due to hard landings during deployment in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for right knee degenerative arthritis was also granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to service due to hard landings and activities as a crew member during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his diabetes required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent during the period on appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted from January 18, 2011, based on service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied due to the lack of evidence showing current tinnitus.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn and dismissed as per the Veteran's request.