Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted effective dates of January 15, 2014.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the cause of death and service connection for the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a skin disorder and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 2, 2019 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter for diabetic retinopathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's diabetic nephrology does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as it does not result in persistent edema, creatinine at or above 4 mg%, BUN greater than 80 mg%, markedly decreased function of kidney or other organ systems, or need for regular dialysis. The Veteran's condition is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded as the RO has not adjudicated these claims yet.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, which includes diabetic retinopathy, senile nuclear sclerosis, and vitreous floaters. The VA is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and multiple neuropathies, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and upper extremities, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches effective May 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, and related peripheral neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied. Claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes due to a failure of VA to assist in verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, and a heart disorder due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure to herbicides through the JSRRC and obtain a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and remanded other issues including service connection for bilateral eye disorders, other than a pterygium, and an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is found to have aggravated his diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also finds that the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are caused by his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's pituitary adenoma, diabetes insipidus, headaches, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and heteronymous bilateral field defect temporal have been granted service connection as due to herbicide exposure.,An effective date prior to June 6, 2018, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, as it is unclear whether this condition is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 13, 2002 for the grant of TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 due to his service-connected disabilities.