Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, chronic kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is December 4, 2008. Service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents during military service, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents during military service, was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides and the possibility of a temporary duty assignment in Vietnam.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, including verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, cataracts, chronic ear infections, nasal polyps, frequent colds, pneumonia, hypertension, high cholesterol, stomach ulcers, impacted bowel, enlarged prostate, and skin disorders due to potential herbicide exposure during service on the USS Ranger in the South China Sea. The case will be returned after a search of service records is conducted.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or non-service-connected death pension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for GERD. The claims for BHL, cholecystitis, chronic, DM, lumbar disability (secondary to left knee disability), heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right knee disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria on an extraschedular basis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis due to functional limitations resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of discoid lupus erythematosus was granted, but the remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving within the territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,The Veteran's requests for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of sinusitis and rhinitis were denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA did not adequately verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Takhli RTAFB, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and for an earlier effective date for service connection of that condition. The appeal regarding sleep apnea was also dismissed as there is no evidence to support its secondary relationship to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the claims for CUE regarding peripheral neuropathy ratings and remanded other service connection issues. The Veteran's claim of increased rating for peripheral neuropathy is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol dependence, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertensive heart disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of December 24, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Board found that the Veteran served in the territorial waters of Vietnam and was therefore presumed exposed to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, right knee instability, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to missing medical records that could support a secondary service connection claim. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for private medical records and attend an examination to assess his current disability status.