Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure, amputation secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes. The reopening is based on new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II based on exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's Vietnam Era service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded both claims due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examinations. The Veteran's skin disorder is being examined again, and his DDD of the thoracolumbar spine needs a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to a lack of current evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance, as well as an incomplete review of his TDIU claim. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a physical examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance, request any outstanding medical records, and consider whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as they need further clarification and investigation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a liver disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the service-connected knee disabilities), and pes planus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service. The Board found that there was no exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for gout, hypertriglyceridemia, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus. The decision also noted that the Veteran's period of ACDUTRA did not qualify him for presumptive service connection.,For gout, the Board found no evidence of onset in or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (as secondary to diabetes), respiratory allergies disability, heart disability, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection as the Veteran died before a decision was made.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, pes planus, paranoid schizophrenia, residuals of a back injury, and frostbite. The claim for diabetes mellitus was reopened but not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% rating for his renal disability, finding that reduction from 100% to 30% effective March 1, 2011 was proper based on improvement in his condition.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increases, or SMC based on his disability. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran’s representative.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as it was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Headaches are also granted as they were incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Low back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as a complication of diabetes mellitus was also denied, as there is no evidence that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. However, the issue of secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records and a medical opinion is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of her claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, atrial fibrillation (claimed as heart condition), and lung cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II did not cause or aggravate his hypertension, high cholesterol and lipid imbalance, skin disorder, peripheral vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, bacterial lung infection, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.