Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran was within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The case is being remanded to take further action.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as his VA Form 9 was timely filed, and the claim for service connection for congestive heart failure, diabetes, neuropathy, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer is decided on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes, glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, CAD/IHD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand includes efforts to corroborate the Veteran’s exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Japan.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, a lung disorder, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's lung disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II as it was a final decision from September 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to undiagnosed illnesses from Southwest Asia service, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of qualifying chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the claim, and as such a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, dermatitis, diabetes, and heart conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Prostate Cancer and Type II Diabetes Mellitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically dioxin in Agent Orange, while stationed in Thailand during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with communication and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's initial evaluation for type II diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for accrued benefits purposes for the claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, benign neoplasm of the cerebral meninges, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy. The appellant withdrew her appeal prior to promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and its associated neuropathies, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, which is linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and adult onset diabetes. However, these claims are still pending as they need further development due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, diagnosed as residuals of frostbite, is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has vacated the March 29, 2019 decision and remanded several issues for further development. The Veteran's death preceded the March 29, 2019 decision, so jurisdiction was lacking at that time. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, eye disability, hypertension, kidney disease, and right arm and hand tingling are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evidence to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he qualifies for an automobile or adaptive equipment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and diabetes mellitus type II have been denied. The claim for service connection for malaria was reopened but not granted. The rating for residuals of left foot gunshot wound remains at 30 percent. The rating for diabetes mellitus type II is also at its maximum allowed under VA guidelines.