Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability, as his symptoms have increased and he uses a cane due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy has been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetic nephropathy as a complication of diabetes mellitus has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure cannot be determined without additional information and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 26, 2013 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for reopening of his diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted. The Board is remanding the issue to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and lung cancer are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded, as it may be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral back strain, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a current disability and its relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, noting there was no current diagnosis in the medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes, and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure while serving aboard U.S. Naval vessels in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records from his private physician and VA providers.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to his active duty service, and therefore, service connection for the cause of death is denied. The Veteran did not have qualifying service for non-service-connected death pension benefits, so entitlement to this benefit is also denied. Accrued benefits are not granted as there were no pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the VA has not verified his in-country Vietnam service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, left wrist disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and gout has been restored.,Service connection for a right hip disability and hyperthyroidism remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to the Veteran's credible reports of service in Vietnam during the Vietnam War era.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and there was no indication of onset or development of the condition during service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 11, 2014 for service connection of pancreatitis, DM2, PTSD with secondary ETOH, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for effective date prior to February 11, 2013 for service connection of CAD has also been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The case is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle/foot disability, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and bilateral eye disabilities due to inextricably intertwined issues with the predicate issue of entitlement to service connection for right ankle/foot disability. The TDIU claim is also deferred.