Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, lymph node disability, and diabetes mellitus type II as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for progressive supranuclear palsy and diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicide agents or chemicals, as well as his service in the Army National Guard. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran’s reported exposures and obtain medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no additional symptoms warranting such.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied because his impairment does not meet the criteria due to non-service-connected conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, which the Board found not related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 21, 2011. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU effective from July 21, 2011 to July 8, 2015.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death is not otherwise related to service. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are not service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further review due to herbicide agent exposure.,Right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy are secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and require further review.,Hypertension is remanded as it may be related to herbicide agent exposure or a heart disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and neuropathy of his extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and a bladder condition have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for DM, but denied it due to lack of evidence linking DM to service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and other trauma and stressor-related disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve), and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and type II diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 70%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II (diabetes) and hypertension, both to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his service-connected hepatitis C and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with associated conditions (cataracts, nephropathy, onychomycosis, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension) has been rated as 20 percent disabling. Separate compensable ratings for cataracts, nephropathy, onychomycosis, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have not been granted.