Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 28, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The criteria for TDIU were met as of November 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, including any herbicide exposure. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated with the most current and relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination records and providing a rationale for opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes or hypertension.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether the Veteran's May 2000 episode of dehydration and subsequent diabetic coma was or was not an injury for purposes of VA regulations, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 28, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, right eye cataract, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, left carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma with cataract in the right eye and cataract in the left eye, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board found that the amputations of the right leg above the knee and left great toe were not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Veteran's conditions were reasonably foreseeable given his medical history.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during or within one year of his active military service, nor was it caused or aggravated by such service or any incident thereof. The diagnosis and treatment for hypertension began after his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, or a kidney condition. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA purposes and thus cannot be granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and Thailand, including his alleged involvement with parts retrieval missions and a murder incident.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and will provide further development before readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.