Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The initial rating for diabetes prior to February 22, 2021 and thereafter from October 4, 2021 is denied. From February 22, 2021 to October 4, 2021, a 20 percent rating for diabetes is granted. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for right lower extremity PAD and left lower extremity PAD from June 15, 2019 to October 20, 2021. SMC at the housebound rate is granted from June 15, 2019 to October 20, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus type I with erectile dysfunction, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied.,The claim for secondary service connection for a respiratory disability (asthma and COPD) is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized alopecia and diabetes mellitus, type 2 have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for gallbladder removal, liver cancer, and diabetes due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to a lack of recent medical evaluations, particularly for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis case is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to the appellant's death.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the terms of its previous remand instructions. Further remand is necessary to obtain all VA treatment records from 1999 to the present and to verify the Veteran's alleged service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, OSA, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, peripheral neuropathy, vision issues, bladder problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypertension, were denied as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disease or disability.,The effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and major depressive disorder with PTSD are both set at May 27, 2018, when the Veteran filed an intent to file a claim followed by a formal application in October 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher, due to lack of myxedema and other complications.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains rated at 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7913.,Major depressive disorder with PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic kidney disease is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions and exposure history. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, PVD, and OSA are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that his PTSD, DMII, or tinnitus result in significant impairment preventing employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues related to service connection and initial ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue of a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service treatment records indicating a prior diagnosis.

The Veteran's diabetes is being remanded for a VA opinion to determine if it began during service or due to exposure to hazardous waste at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral upper extremities is denied as there are no current diagnoses.