Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinea pedis claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The diabetes claim is remanded due to insufficient development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide exposure, requesting an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, stating that no claims were filed prior to May 16, 2012 and thus, no retroactive service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities were dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions, including sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease, all of which were presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that there was no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, decreased visual acuity with decreased visual fields, and peripheral neuropathy resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another due to his physical limitations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as there is no competent evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The issues include labyrinthitis with vestibular dysfunction, lumbar strain with sacroiliac pain, right leg arterial insufficiency secondary to diabetes mellitus, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of death and SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, as well as the claim for cause of death. The remand requires further verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined disability rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case is remanded to determine if the renal cancer was related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at RTAFB in Korat, Thailand during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes is considered at least in equipoise with the negative evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations of his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, stating that his service-connected disabilities alone were not sufficient to cause unemployability in the period of one year before the date of claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, death pension, and accrued benefits due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for lower extremity neuropathy, upper extremity neuropathy, respiratory disability (asthma), obesity, and diabetes mellitus due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and lack of adequate rationale.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was reopened due to new evidence. However, the claims were denied as there is no competent and credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.