Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical records from a federal prison where the Veteran was incarcerated. The records are needed to determine if he had exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and if this contributed to his diabetes mellitus and kidney disease.

The Veteran's diabetes with ED requires one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus with ED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to February 3, 2021.,As of February 3, 2021, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot due to his 100% schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected fracture of the fifth digit of the right hand, as well as service connection for residuals of metacarpal fracture of the fourth digit of the right hand, nerve damage of the right wrist secondary to service-connected fractures, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 secondary to service-connected fractures. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The right knee disability rating is remanded, as are the claims for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, psychosis, and PTSD) have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded for a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected conditions (CAD, hypertension, and/or sleep apnea) caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and testicular hypofunction are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus, type II issue.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disability is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim for type II diabetes mellitus is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate VA etiological opinions and lack of physical examination. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board seeks an adequate etiological opinion considering the Veteran's ability to participate in diet and exercise over time due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level, which would warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he continued to work as a teacher despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of July 14, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), bilateral flatfoot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating possible in-service exposure. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, with the PACT Act expanding the presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of evidence showing a direct link between his diabetes and death. The effective date for the grant of service connection is September 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The case is being remanded to assign initial ratings and determine eligibility for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical development.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for diabetes mellitus type II, which is also being remanded.