Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The diabetes rating was maintained at 40 percent, while the lumbar spine rating was denied in excess of 20 percent from November 30, 2005 to January 22, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased rating, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding whether the Veteran's renal disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, arthritis, dyspnea, heart disorder, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, and back disorder are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's representative provided links to medical articles, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider these articles.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records are to be obtained, and the claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for diabetes as related to hypertension. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking hypertension to the development of diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type I. The Veteran is required to provide releases for private treatment records and another VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes due to lack of substantial compliance with the January 2021 remand directives. The case is now back at the Board for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand instructions. The claims will be reconsidered in light of new evidence and considerations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development, including verification of exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 26, 2014. The decision grants an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, secondary disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional records.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (femoral) is rated at 20 percent since August 18, 2011. The appeal has been denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure during service. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 10, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hand tremors and left renal cyst are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written correspondence, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, sarcoidosis, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development needed.