Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The appeal is also remanded to determine if the Veteran qualifies for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to an herbicide agent while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pneumothoraces, bronchitis, and pleurisy, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and central nervous system disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 are granted as they are related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also granted, as it is causally related to his newly service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg above the knee amputation and left lower foot peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in a combined disability rating of 90 percent. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to locomotion limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions during the pendency of his claim.,Service connection has also been remanded for prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease due to alleged herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psoriasis and diabetes mellitus, type II, are related to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminants. The VA needs to obtain an additional opinion from a medical expert to determine if these conditions are directly related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for absent right kidney and acquired left kidney disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and skin condition of the legs and feet have all been denied as there is no evidence of service connection due to direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I, to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been reopened and is granted. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes is granted. Service connection for hyperlipidemia and hypertension are denied, with hypertension being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The skin disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral primary open angle glaucoma, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's PTSD, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and type two diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings. A TDIU has also been granted from January 1, 2009. However, the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is still pending.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as no claim or evidence of unemployability was raised prior to June 30, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For service connection claims for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, pulmonary crystal on lung, and acute bronchitis due to herbicide exposure, further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension. The case will be addressed on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs and feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are stayed due to a stay on Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.,The Veteran's claim for epididymitis is also stayed as it was previously denied based on lack of evidence of diagnosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes and Leiden V Factor blood condition.