Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and review. The appeals are not related to service connection.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for residuals of a stroke, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% throughout the appeal period. The Board has remanded for further development regarding service connection for a right knee disability and diabetes mellitus, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete information about the Veteran's National Guard service and an inadequate opinion regarding whether his current diabetes was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for type two diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and folliculitis. The issues of increased ratings for ankle and knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional evidence being added to the file and potential exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran is asked to provide any missing records or authorization.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus and thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine. The Veteran's service records do not show any exposure to herbicide agents or Vietnam service, making it impossible to establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new information about Air Force Reserve service and a change in VA regulations regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disability as defined by VA standards. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus, type 2, with a final rating of 60 percent from July 5, 2018.,The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, resulted in a 20 percent rating prior to April 19, 2013. This was increased to 40 percent from April 19, 2013 to July 4, 2018, and finally to 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for eye problems and basal cell carcinoma. Service connection is established for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye problems and basal cell carcinoma are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The appellant is also entitled to burial benefits as she personally incurred expenses related to the Veteran’s funeral and burial.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, rectal cancer, and prostate cancer due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's blood in urine/stool and weak bladder are also being considered as secondary to his rectal cancer and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as he expressed satisfaction with the February 2019 rating decision and requested to withdraw his appeal.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes and a cardiac disorder are dismissed. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted, but the Veteran's TDIU appeal remains pending.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and also denied the earlier effective date for survivor's pension benefits. The decision is final as no appeal was filed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened and granted. However, his application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.