Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires a restricted diet, regulation of activities, and medications but does not require insulin. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent as the evidence did not show that he required one or more daily injections of insulin.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further development as the claim was not previously evaluated with a VA examination.,The left knee and neck disabilities are not being remanded as there is no new evidence relevant to these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and diabetes, finding that the conditions did not result from a disease or injury incurred during active duty or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to chemicals were deemed insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, right calf, muscle group XI, with hypesthesia in the right great toe is denied. The Board found that his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, burst left ear drum, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorders, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of veteran status prior to March 6, 1970.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, weight gain, and chronic lumbosacral pain have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including this case. The issues currently on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal pneumonia and other conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfeet, bilateral ankle disability, tinnitus, perforation of the right ear drum, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis (residuals, low back strain) has also been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents while serving on the U.S.S. Puget Sound.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the Korean DMZ, which is necessary to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 as due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and restless leg syndrome due to potential errors in the previous determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure. Further development is needed, including a VA Agent Orange examination and an examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus.