Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran is not entitled to SMC at a rate intermediate between SMC(l) and SMC(m) (SMC(p)) because he does not have an additional disability rated as 50 or 100 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claim for higher level of SMC, claimed as entitlement to SMC(t), is denied due to the lack of evidence showing that he requires a 'higher level of care' than what is required for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition, a back condition, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and unverified stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to secondary disabilities, including fatigue, stress, depression, weight gain, and other conditions related to hearing loss. The issues are being reviewed again as part of a broader examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy prior to June 29, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for a right leg scar (claimed as right calf injury) is granted. The issues of service connection for OSA, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and genitourinary disability due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), and heart disability are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the DM and heart disability issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and opinion regarding diabetes mellitus, hypertension, back disorder, neck disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and left shoulder disorder. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective June 26, 2019.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence has reopened the claim, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, or reopening of previously denied claims have been granted. The case is remanded for further development on some issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed conditions. The issues include sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, multilevel degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, basal cell carcinoma, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60 percent from January 21, 2014 to October 26, 2021 and granted a 100 percent rating from October 27, 2021. The diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy were also rated.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease was found to have chronic congestive heart failure after October 26, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus type 2), hyperlipidemia, diabetic amyotrophy, and a skin condition are all denied. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, OSA, supraventricular arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II with ED, PTSD, Barrett's esophagus with GERD, upper extremity tremors, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial rating for Type II Diabetes Mellitus prior to June 9, 2017 was denied. The Veteran received a 20 percent initial rating from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, effective July 1, 2020, was proper based on evidence showing sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DM II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower legs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that his TDIU claim is granted.