Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The VA must obtain additional medical records and provide a supplemental medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted with a 20% evaluation.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. Increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to April 12, 2022 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left middle finger disability is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and heart disability (CAD) are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as well, with no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the hands and feet are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for cubital (or carpal) tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is eligible for VA benefits as the Veteran's surviving spouse, but her claims for service connection and DIC benefits need further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's claims of diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not currently decided.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms. The current conditions are also not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's left eye disability is not service connected, and the VA procedure for cataract surgery did not cause or worsen his blindness.

Service connection for glaucoma is dismissed. Service connection for depression, sleep apnea, low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease) are granted on the merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral eye disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's service connection claims. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, diabetes, and hypertension have been granted. However, the claim for hypertension remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of verification of the Veteran's foreign service. The Veteran claims Type II diabetes mellitus is related to herbicide exposure, but his service was not verified as being in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and coronary artery bypass graft residuals rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from August 31, 2011, to May 23, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board dismissed the appeals for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral cataracts, diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, and hypertensive retinopathy (claimed as issues with vision) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its inception during active duty or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found no causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including issuance of a Statement of the Case (SSOC) to ensure all benefits are properly certified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, disability of the back, left knee disability, and right knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.