Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to potential service connection based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, Type II. The issues of service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, low back disability, left hand disability (to include carpal tunnel syndrome), hypertension, and diabetes have all been denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for severe back problems, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The appeal regarding a right knee disability is remanded.

The Board found that the August 23, 2007 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of death was based on incorrect application of law and evidence. The outcome would have been different if the RO had considered whether diabetes mellitus, a presumptively service-connected condition due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including of the bilateral feet, knees, hips, lumbar spine, and chronic joint pain, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's vertigo is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right and left hands, as well as feet, have been rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding it associated with the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides along the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with mild bilateral non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was restored to a 60 percent rating effective September 1, 2012. The TDIU claim is denied as the combined disability rating remains at 100 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran has bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy that is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to multiple conditions, none of which were service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection and DIC benefits.

The claims for service connection for acne vulgaris, type II diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibroid tumors, memory loss, and hair loss are denied.,The claims for service connection for IBS, fibroid tumors, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Dix and Fort Gordon, which could affect his claim for service connection for diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IHD and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for IHD prior to November 3, 2011 or from November 3, 2011 to November 12, 2013, and that he was not entitled to a TDIU prior to November 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for right knee disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II were inadequate as they did not provide opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by service-connected left knee disorder, hypothyroidism, respectively. The cases are being remanded to obtain further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy of the right eye is rated at 40 percent. The peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding increased disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The TDIU claim remains pending.