Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches was granted. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for left knee and right foot disabilities, but denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus, Type II and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to a recent Court decision regarding presumptive service connection for Vietnam-era veterans.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,Service connection for obesity was previously denied in a January 2019 rating decision. The Board notes that on January 6, 2017, the General Counsel issued a precedential opinion which held that obesity could be an 'intermediate step' between a service-connected disability and a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his claims for sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for hypertension, earlier effective date for voiding and bowel dysfunction, and increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM II) and bowel dysfunction as she withdrew her appeal in February 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include PTSD, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, neoplasms of the thyroid, and neoplasms of the kidney.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the VA did not verify his exposure during active duty in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the Veteran's death and service-connected conditions. The issues of service connection for a right foot condition and low back condition are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is necessary before a decision may be rendered on the appealed issues of service connection for cause of the Veteran's death; and entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of evidence showing actual exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran was not found to have been exposed to herbicide agents as defined by VA regulations.

The claim of service connection for essential tremors of the hands was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and diabetes were also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service connection verification and a need for updated clinical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, IHD, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the South China Sea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, toe amputations, and an acquired psychiatric disability are all granted. The issues of service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, kidney disability (hematuria), and GERD and tinea corporis remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for additional verification of his alleged herbicide exposure while stationed in Korea.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease have been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, as well as the effective dates of his service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease, are being remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The petition to reopen previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange is granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, status post penis carcinoma, and right shoulder status post lipoma. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.