Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension were denied service connection. The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted a 20% evaluation, effective November 12, 2010, while his right lower extremity neuropathy remained at a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 20, 2016. The diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension issue is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is presumed due to in-service herbicide exposure and granted. The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by diabetes mellitus, type II, which is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's pension benefits exceeded his compensation benefits, making him ineligible for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, injury to the right hand fingers, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of a causal relationship established by VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson’s disease due to missing medical records and incomplete service personnel records. The appellant is also seeking SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted on September 9, 2011 when he had a combined disability rating of 80%. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim is based on established service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and post-traumatic stress disorder with depression and anxiety have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed as the claims were withdrawn by her in June 2013. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition, left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease, left upper extremity condition, right upper extremity condition, and left leg condition are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, but the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is unclear due to lack of recent medical evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear during the appeal period.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea), CAD, autoimmune insufficiency with orthostatic hypotension and memory problems, and hyperlipidemia is denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder is denied as the Veteran did not step foot in Vietnam or have other qualifying service. The Board found subjective arthralgia but acknowledged the Veteran's competence to report on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, vision disability, bilateral leg disability, and prostate disability are all granted due to herbicide exposure. However, the cases of a vision disability and bilateral leg disability remain pending as VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy prior to May 17, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's rating in excess of 30 percent for diabetic nephropathy since May 17, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability and diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that no communication prior to June 23, 2011 could be construed as a formal or informal claim.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (claimed as neuropathy), prostate disability, obstructive sleep apnea, spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right upper extremity disorder, and bilateral lower extremity disorder (other than neuropathy) is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of chronic fatigue syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, right shoulder disability, joint pain, muscle pain, sleep disorder, headaches, and memory loss have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.