Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to outstanding private treatment records that have not yet been associated with the record.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected pension, so his claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, while some service connection claims were granted or reopened. The appeal is remanded for further action on several issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his condition and service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot swelling, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for diabetes was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as he requires insulin and restricted diet but no regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, non-hodgkin lymphoma, and type II diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran testified that he spent time on the ground in Vietnam during 1963, but further verification is needed regarding his specific duties and whether they were consistent with travel to Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities, and squamous cancer left cheek with residuals have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's dementia and Alzheimer's with depression were denied as not related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy was granted on a secondary basis to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and TDIU claims.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, respiratory disorder manifested by difficulty breathing, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder NOS. The decision also remanded several issues for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is about eligibility for special home adaptation grants and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded the case to determine if an extra-schedular rating is warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are all granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Takhli Air Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD (depression and generalized anxiety disorder) due to a lack of contemporaneous records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be readjudicated after these examinations are completed.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus is related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.