Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right lumbar myositis (low back condition), a left knee condition, obstructive sleep apnea, scars of the right flank, migraine headaches, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, nasal pterygium right eye with bilateral borderline intraocular pressure, diabetes mellitus, type II, and insomnia disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and a VA examination for his coronary artery disease. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to military service.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for non-service-connected pension benefits was also denied. The Board found that there was no written communication indicating intent to file a claim prior to November 17, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Air Force Reserve service.

The Board finds that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, including new VA treatment records from May 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and penile disability (including erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease) due to inadequate reasons or bases in the VA examinations, and a need for further development including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left foot disability, HTN, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity as it is not a disease or injury for which service connection may be established. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, left sciatic nerve disability, and depression are remanded due to missing medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chloracne, peripheral artery disease, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.,The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service on the USS Perry in Vietnam. His claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been granted. However, the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues involving this condition.

The Veteran's claims for a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to May 26, 2016 have been dismissed.,For the period since May 26, 2016, the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his need for aid and attendance and housebound status. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Colonial in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, clinical right L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy, and clinical left L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, malaria, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, circulatory problems, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not manifest within one year of service separation or are otherwise unrelated to service.