Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a pulmonary condition, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted. The claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's left thumb disability and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The issue of total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been raised but needs to be remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure due to lack of evidence connecting these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination and review to determine if there is service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and whether the Veteran should be granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to chemical agents in service, and for further medical opinions regarding whether such exposures caused or aggravated his fatal cardiac arrest and/or diabetes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication, including obtaining income verification from the appellant and her Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits information. The Board also requested an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 40 percent disabling, and he is granted TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is caused by medications taken for his service-connected Reiter’s syndrome. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending and requires further action.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has diabetes mellitus. The case is returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining information about the Veteran's exposure to radiation, herbicide agents (Agent Orange), dioxin, PCBs, and/or mustard gas during service at Fort McClellan. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's renal failure and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, and whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II, all presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran's statements credible and conceded exposure to herbicides on a facts-found basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a request for information about the Veteran's duties at U-Tapao RTAFB.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The Board found sufficient evidence to support herbicide exposure during service, leading to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. Secondary service connection was also granted based on a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) and new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus as further research is needed regarding herbicide exposure.