Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's representative requested a VA examination for his mental health issues.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus II due to herbicide exposure, finding no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrophy of left thigh muscles, cervical spine disorder, right and left knee patellar strains, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right great toe hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, skin cancer of the face and arms, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. However, his claims are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence prior to February 13, 2015 that he filed a formal or informal claim. The effective date of the grant of service connection cannot be earlier than February 13, 2014.

The Veteran's lung cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted service connection for purposes of accrued benefits.,The Veteran's cause of death due to adenocarcinoma of the lung is also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, thyroid cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded as new evidence does not establish herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus type II was not granted, while the initial rating for peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen her service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as her request for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for her surgical scar. The evidence submitted did not relate to facts necessary to support these claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted. His increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II prior to January 31, 2016 is denied. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to exposure in Vietnam, as well as its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease of bilateral lower extremities, skin disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. However, no new effective dates are granted as the evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU, and his education and occupational experience qualify him for such benefits. The nature and severity of these disabilities prevent him from performing gainful employment.,Effective August 20, 2015, ratings are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (20%) and right lower extremity (20%).,Service connection is granted for PTSD with a disability rating of 70% effective March 9, 2015.,TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type 2 with diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The VA is instructed to schedule an examination for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential overlap with other issues. The claims include diabetes, neuropathy, gout, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom worsening and the need for updated VA treatment records.