Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is connected to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a subsistence allowance is denied, and the reduction of his pension benefits is remanded due to lack of issuance of an SOC.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding income and net worth, as well as for additional medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's prostate condition, ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes mellitus, COPD, and bilateral eye condition are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board is remanding three issues: service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD), service connection for nephropathy, and service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.,The Veteran's service connection claims for nephropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been reopened due to new evidence. The Board is remanding these issues as well.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and buttocks are presumed to be associated with in-service Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and radiation. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder. The Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement with the July 2009 denial of service connection for hypertension, and his claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and compensable evaluation for diabetic nephropathy, as well as the claim for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's diabetes was presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right eye disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the Veteran's hypertension was denied due to lack of a diagnosis within one year of service and no evidence linking it to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, scar, sleep condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to prostate cancer, and residuals of a stroke secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for the cause of death is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM II is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's leg pain issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it from appeal.,Service connection for OSA is granted, with a finding that his current diagnosis of OSA is related to his active military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence on direct or presumptive basis.,The Veteran's hip disability rating issue is remanded as the VA examination was conducted in 2017 and he testified that symptoms have worsened.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral thigh calcification and diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be reopened, and his claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and asthma since July 16, 2013, as well as for diabetes mellitus type II are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, cervical spine injury, lumbar spine condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, heart condition, prostate condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to commercial herbicides in Guam.