Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and the need for an additional examination to determine if his diabetes mellitus is aggravated by PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and loss of the right leg as they were not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus, specifically related to in-service benzene exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy (left and right) are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy (left and right) are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and low back disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 21, 2017, was also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 12, 2012 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a rating of 20 percent for this condition. The Veteran's claim was based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service and whether he has a pulmonary disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a prostate disorder, are REMANDED. Additionally, the Veteran is required to be scheduled for an examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his OSA.,Service connection for DM was denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, effective April 26, 2019.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board did not find evidence of regulation of activities required for an increase to 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 10 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's military duties placed him near the perimeter of U-Tapao AFB in Thailand, which is presumed to have exposed him to herbicide agents. The decision also found that his current conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances are remanded due to the lack of recent VA medical records, which could determine if he used his claimed medications in 2016. The case will be returned to obtain these records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as it may be secondary to the previously granted conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied. The earliest effective date assigned is June 10, 2016.

The veteran's spouse is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis as residuals of rheumatic fever, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service rheumatic fever event.,The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that could support the claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence submitted since the final decisions. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains pending as it was not reopened.,Service connection is being remanded for the low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicides during service.