Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents while stationed near the Korean DMZ during his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for capsaicin cream, trixaicin cream, lidocaine hydrochloride, clobetasol gel, and clotrimazole cream in the 2015 calendar year due to lack of service connection. The decision also noted that neither of the creams caused irreparable damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for eye condition, high blood pressure, headaches, left leg condition, depression, and diabetes due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn during the October 2017 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma) have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,The remaining issues, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded. The AOJ needs to verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange at Subic Bay, Philippines during his service.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for ischemia heart disease as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DM2). The VA cardiologist provided an opinion that there was more than a 50 percent probability that the Veteran had some form of CAD, considering his DM2.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claims for peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and related conditions, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified depressive disorder) are granted service connection. Additionally, the Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetic retinopathy. The August 2013 rating decisions denying these claims are final.

The Veteran's diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted a higher rating for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issue of initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is also being remanded due to lack of recent medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) due to lack of a current disability. The claims for peptic ulcers and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity (BLE) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Claims for bilateral shoulder condition and heart condition were not reopened as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic contact dermatitis, heart disability, rash (psoriasis), and diabetes mellitus type 2. The decision found no current disabilities related to these conditions, and the evidence did not establish a link between any of them and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension, as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension. For tinnitus, the Veteran’s statements were deemed not credible due to lack of medical records indicating the presence of tinnitus. For diabetes mellitus, the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotency, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), all for accrued benefits purposes. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands is dismissed as he withdrew it.,Service connection granted for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder. The Board found that his current diagnosis is related to in-service experiences and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.,Service connection denied for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran's service in Okinawa did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.