Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing treatment records from a VA facility in Maguire, Virginia, dating back to at least 1980.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure to nuclear radiation and other hazardous materials during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to lack of clarity in his formal appeal and procedural documents, as well as for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and the disease did not manifest within one year after discharge.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since October 29, 2012. The right ear hearing loss disability was not referred for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 10, 2015 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was also granted an effective date of January 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and grants service connection on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of regulation of activities required.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to a chronic disease manifesting within one year of separation. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the diabetes to the service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The claims for increased evaluations of atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the bilateral lower extremities and onychomycosis of the feet are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea and whether he is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to that exposure, and for hypertension as secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for back disability, mental health condition, and sleep apnea were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy are still under consideration.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation, or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and failed attempts at contact. The issues of service connection are being remanded as they involve secondary service connection.