Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings, while erectile dysfunction and hypertension remain denied.,A separate initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted for right ankle instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for impaired vision, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hip disorder, pes planus, and bilateral foot disorder (other than flat feet) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at a 60 percent rating since February 2, 2021. The left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies are each rated at 40 percent ratings. The bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to July 12, 2018, and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected prior to August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 13, 2014, for the 60 percent rating assigned for coronary artery disease is granted. The effective date was based on a new claim filed by the Veteran shortly after his diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as federal retirement records.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic open angle glaucoma and nuclear sclerotic cataracts is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a spine disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for RBD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II remains denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including kidney disability, heart disability, liver disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy, all related to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's low back disability aggravated obesity, which in turn caused hypertension and diabetes. The Board granted secondary service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, kidney disease, and a bilateral eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and liver cysts (claimed as liver spots) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the issue of service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right sciatic and tibial nerves has been granted a 20 percent rating for the period prior to November 1, 2018, and a 40 percent rating since that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and adenocarcinoma of the colon are granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia. The mixed germ cell tumor of the right testis is also granted service connection under the PACT Act, which grants presumptive service connection for certain conditions related to exposure to environmental toxins.,The Veteran's hypertension issue has been remanded and will require further review by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The issues include bulging discs, sleep apnea, arthritis of hands and knees, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), left knee disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and benign prostate hypertrophy due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to provide ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, and entitlement to a compensable rating prior to November 24, 2014, and a rating higher than 30 percent thereafter, for COPD and benign asbestos pleural disease. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (other than right upper hemiparesis) has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.