Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Service connection for low back disability was denied. The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, and for seeking additional lay evidence from the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and right leg amputation as secondary to cellulitis due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is also denied a compensable rating for cellulitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ must verify if the USS Coral Sea entered inland waterways or territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles from the shores of Vietnam during the Veteran's time on board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is granted. The claims for bilateral foot disability, heart murmur, diabetes mellitus type II, and migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2015 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's CAD and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, a right foot disability, and hearing loss due to lack of in-service records and insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pancreatic cancer, which may be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred during his period of active service from June 2006 to October 2007.,The Veteran’s bilateral shoulder disabilities, right elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability are all related to injuries sustained during his periods of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as secondary service connection for hemianopsia (residual of a stroke), were denied. The effective dates for these awards are not earlier than September 14, 2015.

Service connection for a depressive disorder is granted.,Previously denied claims for service connection for neck disability, head injury residuals, recurrent headaches, and diabetes mellitus are reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disorder, psychiatric condition, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bursitis, a respiratory disorder (claimed as breathing difficulty), and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II has also been remanded due to the need for additional factual development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities since October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for diabetic retinopathy prior to January 10, 2012, and a subsequent 40% rating thereafter are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lung cancer and diabetes are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. However, the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.