Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and hidradenitis suppurativa due to insufficient examination opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by service-connected folliculitis decalvans of the scalp.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and a diabetic foot ulcer to obtain medical opinions regarding their severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a combined disability rating higher than 60 percent, citing satisfaction with the current 90 percent rating. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and service connection claims. The issues are inextricably intertwined, requiring a new opinion on each.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the denial of nonservice connected pension because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days of the May 2018 SOC or one year after the January 2018 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including CAD, PTSD, and diabetes, rendered him unable to follow substantially gainful employment as of March 12, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim. A TDIU is also granted, effective March 2, 2018.

The appeal has been dismissed as the widow requested withdrawal of her husband's appeal regarding service connection for a thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with diabetes mellitus.

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD is dismissed. The issues of service connection for a low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claim for nonservice-connected pension from July 8, 2019 and after as moot due to the Veteran's service-connected disability rating. The claim is remanded for additional development regarding pension prior to July 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and hypertensive heart disease is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding early manifestations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and abdominal cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's exposure history needs to be verified, including potential exposure to commercial herbicides with formulations of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T that are distinct from tactical herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II. The low back condition claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's asthma was initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 16, 2022 and increased to 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's bilateral mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema remains at a noncompensable rating.,The Veteran's bilateral chronic dry eye syndrome is now rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential chemical or radiation exposure during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as he did not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected coronary heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes, has been remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus are granted service connection based on herbicide agent exposure in the Republic of Vietnam, with the benefit of doubt favoring the Veteran.