Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded all issues due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations. The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and malaria are among the conditions being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient information about his exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. The Board will conduct multiple 60-day record searches to verify the in-service exposure and then readjudicate the case.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including chronic pain and tendonitis, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, low back disability, hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea, and a rating for dysthymia and panic disorder. The Board also ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear dates of Army Reserve service and incomplete STRs. The AOJ is also asked to verify the Veteran’s exposure to radiation while working as a telecommunication specialist near radars at Fort Hood, Texas, and his exposure to herbicides and pesticides while stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied as his condition did not require regulation of activities, insulin treatment, or a restricted diet.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of cancer of the renal pelvis, right knee disability, CAD, and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer is claimed as secondary to his renal pelvis cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of personnel records verifying herbicide exposure in Panama. The Veteran's claims are related to possible herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to pending development for other service connection issues. The Veteran's mental health disability is also relevant and needs to be reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and a pulmonary disability. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on exposure and potential secondary relationships.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus, which was found to have contributed materially in producing or accelerating his death. The medical evidence is in equipoise as to whether the diabetes contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish exposure to toxic herbicides during the Veteran's service. The Board also found that the medical evidence did not support a direct link between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not attributable to service, any incident of service, or a service-connected disability. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged involvement in covert operations during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension with aid and attendance benefits for accrued purposes was denied due to the appellant failing to comply with VA’s request for income information. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obesity, diabetes, and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II has worsened since his last VA examination. The Board finds that a new medical examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The diabetes was rated at 40 percent prior to April 27, 2015, and 20 percent thereafter. The left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy were both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions related to his diabetes and coronary artery disease was partially granted, with some issues receiving a separate rating.

The Veteran's diabetes is remanded for further evaluation and a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to NBC training and military meals with excessive sugar content.