Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus with cataracts and retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, have rendered him unable to work since January 1, 2012. Effective November 21, 2012, the Veteran has been found in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted a disability rating of 40 percent from December 17, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, as well as a TDIU based on all service-connected conditions, are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and diabetes mellitus II with erectile dysfunction due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the March 2021 remand directives and has therefore ordered additional development for both stomach disability and DMII claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM2 and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The claim for DM2 is granted based on herbicide exposure. The claim for PTSD is remanded as a VA mental health examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to issues with the file and communication threads. The effective date of service connection needs to be determined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at the 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder since April 6, 2018.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and thus remands this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate opinions in the January 2020 VA examiner's reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, diabetes, head disability (including TBI), and acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression). The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for the claimed disabilities.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further assessment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands, and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to new evidence received. The claim for cervical herniated nucleus pulposus, left C5-6 is also being remanded.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for cervical herniated nucleus pulposus, left C5-6 remains pending.

The Veteran's athlete's foot is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's migraines, to include as secondary to tinnitus, are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's back pain is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's pain and limited use of the jaw is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's eye pain and scars status post surgical repair are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's plates in the entire face status post facial surgeries are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's scars of the face and head are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's type I diabetes is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic headache disability are being remanded for further review as the Board has not yet determined if service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted. The cervical spine disability, PTSD, TBI with headaches, head scar, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are all remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents while serving within the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating from June 16, 2018 forward. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is granted at a 70 percent rating from June 16, 2018 forward.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his coronary artery disease, which caused him to be helpless and require assistance with daily activities. The Board found that he met the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.