Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing herbicide agent exposure during service.,There is also no post-service medical evidence of these conditions within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II with ED and retinopathy was granted a 40 percent disability rating from July 9, 2015 to April 7, 2019. From April 8, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination related to his diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for impotence, neuropathy, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, amputation of the right second toe, and amputation of the left lower leg below the knee are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy in each extremity, and MDD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is also being remanded as there is no indication that the condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving his right hand condition, bilateral knee conditions, tinnitus, head injury residuals, headaches, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The reasons for remand include inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease, stage II have been granted. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease, stage II.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus (diabetes), is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, to include as secondary to service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (hereinafter GERD) and/or as secondary diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a nerve disorder, to include as due to radiation exposure, herbicide agent exposure, and pesticide / insecticide exposure, and/or secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include residuals of a pulmonary embolism, to include as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or a secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus need further investigation due to incomplete records, particularly regarding his exposure in service. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and personnel records from official sources.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and congestive heart failure due to obesity being an intermediate step between a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both currently rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board granted these ratings.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, while his left lower extremity is rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for the left lower extremity and granted this rating for the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding its relationship to his active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of audiometric testing meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA dental treatment from April 25, 2013 to August 1, 2013 was denied as the treatment was not pre-authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for a medical emergency.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued since then.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for additional examination and review of private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 as the Veteran's condition did not originate in service or until years after service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's COPD is denied as it is not related to service, including asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is not secondary to PTSD or COPD.,The Veteran's diabetes is denied as it is not due to herbicide exposure and is not secondary to hypertension or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's vision problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's stomach condition is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's nerve problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's colonic polyps are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy and a visual field defect. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his medical history and any relevant records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and hypertension were also remanded.