Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, retinopathy of the left eye as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee ACL injury is not related to service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's right foot calcaneal heel spur, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis are rated at 50 percent since February 24, 2021. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date and higher rating.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied due to lack of clear finding regarding the Veteran's time in service.,Service connection for enlarged thyroid, goiter was not established as there are no indications of a diagnosis during service or related to service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is not supported by evidence and was denied.,Service connection for rosacea (claimed previously as red nose) is not supported by evidence and was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, right leg amputation, bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities, and back disability due to potential herbicide agent exposure at Mactan Air Base in the Philippines. The claim for SMC is also remanded as additional evidence was received since the last statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary atherosclerosis and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Bone cancer is denied as there was no diagnosis of multiple myeloma or other presumptively service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent, effective October 20, 2013. The left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy remains at 20 percent. Right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies are each granted a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to November 3, 2017 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were granted effective June 27, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as of this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left and right lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance.,VA has not provided a VA examination or medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions result in loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision on prostate cancer was based on March 27, 2020 as the date VA received the intent to file a claim, which was followed up within one year with a formalized claim.

The appeal for service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 4, 2005. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combination of his service-connected disabilities from September 23, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted. The cause of the Veteran's death, which included DM II as a contributing factor, is also granted.,Further, the Board has remanded cases regarding secondary service connection for right eye condition, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric condition to provide medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, residuals of a kidney transplant, coronary artery disease, bilateral retinopathy, and bilateral below the knee amputation due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to be a contributory cause of his death from hepatocellular carcinoma, which was diagnosed in 2009. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but not higher. The criteria for a 40 percent rating were met as the diabetes required insulin and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records, particularly regarding his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The Board requires additional development to account for any missing records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, allowing for a higher level of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for asthma was reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.,The Veteran's asthma is related to his active service, with evidence suggesting it may have had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are secondary to his now service-connected cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C status post treatment, as well as whether they are related to presumed exposure to contaminants in water at Camp Lejeune.