Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, hypertension (heart problems), peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's motion for an earlier effective date for IHD was dismissed.,The claim to reopen the erectile dysfunction and SMC loss of use of a creative organ claims, as well as the right knee disability claims, is denied.,The claim to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim is denied. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to support this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was reopened based on new evidence showing noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence that his tinnitus began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and diabetes, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and a lung disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s service in Vietnam, obtain medical opinions regarding his current diagnoses of type 2 diabetes mellitus and COP, and determine if there is any link between these conditions and military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic polyuria was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD was also denied, with the Board noting that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment but without more severe manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes was related to his in-service herbicide exposure and is presumptively service-connected. However, further medical guidance is needed to determine if the Veteran’s diabetes contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The new evidence submitted by the Veteran suggests that there may be an association between at least one herbicide agent and hypertension, but this needs further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection determinations. The Veteran's eye disabilities and neuropathies are being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 29, 2008 were denied as the evidence did not show that he filed a formal claim or an informal claim within one year of his separation from service.,The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy in July 2015. The effective date assigned is August 29, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected non-small cell lung cancer contributed to it.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 30, 2013, for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus and associated neuropathy affecting the upper and lower extremities are denied.,The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for hypertension and skin disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney disability due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The RO must take appropriate steps to verify such exposure in locations other than the Korean DMZ or Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically the Veteran's OPM disability retirement records. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered with these records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's CAD and diabetes are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected peripheral arterial disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and ischemic heart disease as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to exposure to asbestos. The Veteran's claim for DM is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, including herbicide exposure. For IHD, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if it is related to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded for further investigation due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.