Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,However, the TDIU claim remains pending due to a need for additional evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any bilateral upper extremity neurological conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions and considering obesity as an intermediate step, is required.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities to warrant a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis is currently rated as 0 percent due to the absence of systemic therapy. Further examination is needed to determine if his current treatment qualifies as such.,The Veteran's chloracne has not been found to cause deep acne other than on the face and neck, warranting a compensable rating.,For the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,For the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,The Veteran's left lower extremity, femoral nerve, peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,For the right lower extremity, femoral nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,PTSD and MDD are rated at 50 percent prior to August 30, 2016, and at 70 percent from that date. The issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he was exposed to Agent Orange in drums brought from Guam by B-52s, and he claims exposure during flights to Vietnam and Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, as well as sleep apnea and chronic fatigue. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The current VA medical opinions do not adequately address the exposure basis or provide a clear nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid cancer due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted, with the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.,Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus, but a higher rating than 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes insipidus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

Service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II is granted under the PACT Act.,The claims for service connection on a direct basis are remanded due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) periods.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from dressing, undressing, bathing, grooming himself without assistance and requires care to protect him from daily hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service, including herbicide exposure. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology and aggravation by pre-existing conditions were not established.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and an increased rating for asthma. The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU, but remanded for further development regarding his asthma claim.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found no herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty at Fort McClellan.

The Board has granted a TDIU from September 27, 2011 to August 7, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes, type 2 and hypertension are granted as presumptively incurred due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.