Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that there are outstanding treatment records and that further examination is needed to address the Veteran's left eye vision disability. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus began in basic training and has been ongoing since then. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Coronary artery disease, Barrett's esophagus, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.,A hiatal hernia is remanded as the Veteran contends it preexisted service and was aggravated by an assault during basic training. Service connection for asthma or COPD, related to asbestos exposure, is also remanded.,The Veteran's knee disorder is remanded due to his in-service specialty of wireman which may have contributed to the condition. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is also remanded.,Service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded as the Veteran contends these conditions began during service or were aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for hypertension, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, due to exposure to herbicide agents (presumably Gulf War Syndrome), is granted. The decision cites the Veteran's service in Vietnam and the presence of relevant official service department records that were not previously associated with the claims file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the denial of service connection for low back disability, residuals of right knee arthroscopic surgery, acquired psychiatric disorder, and diabetes mellitus as there was no adequate substantive appeal filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 17, 2012 for his award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran had filed a formal or informal claim for TDIU benefits prior to this date and concluded that it was not factually ascertainable in the one-year period preceding September 17, 2012 that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for left hand arthritis and diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left leg radiculopathy, tinnitus, right knee scar, sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, chronic right and left leg disabilities to include blood clots, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a left knee disorder, and right and left foot diabetic neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 70% rating for PTSD has been granted.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to lack of evidence regarding exposure within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam while onboard the USS Graffias.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, rectal cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, left foot neuropathy pain, and right foot neuropathy pain due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or herbicide agents during service. The RO is instructed to develop evidence regarding the Veteran’s ship movements and positions during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical records and the need for further opinions. The Veteran seeks compensation for kidney disability and diabetes mellitus resulting from VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, contributed to his encephalopathy which caused his death. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, respiratory disorder, diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, skin condition (porphyria cutanea tarda), and hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are granted service connection. The issues of hypertension and diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer has been dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bladder cancer and residuals thereof, including removal of the prostate, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service and verification of his active duty periods. The issues will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.