Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification regarding the Veteran's need to regulate or avoid strenuous activities related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his failure to appear for a scheduled DRO hearing. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to present his case at a rescheduled hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the service-connected prostatitis contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's prostate cancer and death.

The Board has determined that the proper procedures were not followed in determining whether the Veteran is eligible for S-DVI due to his nonservice-connected conditions. The matter must be remanded to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements set forth in the M29-1, including obtaining Attending Physician's Statements (APSs) where required and ensuring that the severity of the nonservice-connected disabilities considered to be disqualifying is accurately considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected conditions, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), left shoulder pain, major depressive disorder (MDD), and lower back pain. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to new evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to November 2003 is being remanded due to potential extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; and skin cancer (melanoma) are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his Reserve service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 19, 2017 for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected bilateral cataracts and diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including hypertension, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, below-the-knee amputations, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetes mellitus type II. The decision is due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II due to his alleged herbicide exposure while serving in Vietnam. The decision notes that further verification is needed regarding whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam, as well as obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of prostate cancer as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed or remanded. The diabetes claim was withdrawn, OSA and hypothyroidism were granted as secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran’s reported exposure to herbicide agents while performing patrol duty as a Light Weapons Infantryman along the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) due to service-connected anxiety with depression is granted. The Veteran's ED claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and tinnitus. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination to determine if he has these conditions and their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy contributed substantially or materially to his death from sepsis due to bowel necrosis and severe abdominal adhesions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have produced total occupational impairment, and he is granted TDIU. The appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetes mellitus are dismissed.