Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for additional development in connection with his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, stroke residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to herbicide exposure at Takhli RTAFB, is granted. The claim for PTSD was denied as new and material evidence did not support the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to January 23, 2014. The VA needs to request a medical opinion on the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities during that period.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, paralysis of the hands secondary to diabetes, and peroneal nerve palsy of the left leg and foot secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's claims were not granted as there was no evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection of COPD has been withdrawn and dismissed. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bronchitis; gastrointestinal disorder; skin disorder of the inner thighs and under arms; and skin disorder of the feet have been remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's DM with impotence and cataracts is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran believes his condition has worsened. The Board has ordered a remand to reassess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant withdrew her appeal in June 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The coronary artery disease was rated at 60% prior to November 30, 2012, and the scars received a 20% rating from August 16, 2017 onwards. Diabetes mellitus did not meet the criteria for any compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, retinopathy, and onychomycosis as claimed due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show the Veteran set foot in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time stationed at the RTAFB in U-Tapao, Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, kidney condition, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors underlying the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, and the appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of Type II diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his military service. The medical evidence did not show these conditions were caused by in-service events or related to active duty service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with residuals, chronic myositis of the para-cervical and para-lumbar spine muscles, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, absence seizures, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, including any National Guard or Reserve service, and all updated treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; service connection for a kidney condition to include a transplant; and service connection for left leg amputation below the knee. The remand is due to incomplete information or lack of clarity in the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), kidney disease with renal failure and periodic bladder infection, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for tendonitis of all joints.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and determined that it was not related to his military service. The cause of death (sepsis of multiorgan failure due to renal failure and DM) is also not considered service-connected.