Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and clarification of several issues, including service connection for various conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service exposure to herbicides and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from October 22, 2010. The Board found that his conditions, including low back disability and polyneuropathy, made it necessary for him to have regular assistance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted effective January 7, 2016. The date entitlement arose for this condition is determined to be 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C, lumbosacral disc degeneration with narrowing, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD are all denied. The Veteran is not granted higher ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hips disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any event thereof.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his service-connected PTSD and asbestos-related pulmonary disease were not contributory causes of his death. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions caused or aggravated his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that it is not attributable to service and is not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for retinopathy, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

Service connection is granted for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted for osteoarthritis of the shoulders, knees, OSA, hypertension, CHF, diabetes, and PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, substitution benefits, accrued benefits, and cause of death due to pending issues that require further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the new evidence submitted at the hearing, is necessary before deciding his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had diabetes mellitus type II, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes and heart disease are being remanded for further evaluation, while his TDIU is granted. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating for diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral peripheral vascular disease, which are granted as the cause of death. The claim for accrued benefits related to pulmonary fibrosis with restrictive lung function is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, as well as the claim for cause of death. Further development is needed due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, thoracic osteoarthritis, and hypertension need further examination and opinion to determine their etiology and severity.