Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings, including those for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board denied service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension as secondary to atherosclerotic heart disease, shortness of breath as secondary to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The denial is based on lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for the residuals of a fractured left little finger was denied as there is no evidence that his condition more nearly approximates functional loss resulting from amputation of the left little finger.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and right eye condition were both denied as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, cardiovascular disability to include IHD and/or CAD, and prostate cancer residuals are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand under the PACT Act. However, service connection for these conditions is also remanded to determine if they were incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to December 17, 2019 due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's service connection for CAD/ischemic heart/bypass, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, scar measuring 38.0 x 0.1cm, diabetic nephropathy, and major depressive disorder has been granted effective October 8, 2016.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not shown to be related to his service and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and therefore cannot be presumed to have developed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), or skin disability (basal cell carcinoma with dysplastic nevi) as a result of such exposure. As such, these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of rating a left fifth toe disability. The decision is final on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and right sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues of increased rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.