Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, metatarsal amputation of the right foot, and amputations of toes on the left foot due to unclear service dates. The lipoma claim is also remanded as it was not initially filed correctly.

The Board has vacated the decision regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new evidence and argument. The case is now remanded for further investigation into the Veteran's exposure in Subic Bay, Philippines.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for various disabilities at a hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records and an inadequate statement of reasons for discounting a private physician's assessment.

The Veteran's diabetes and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined issues and for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorder, and PTSD and depression. A VA medical opinion is needed in each case.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at MWMC from May 27, 2017 through May 30, 2017 are granted as the evidence supports that he required continued non-emergency treatment due to a continued medical emergency.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and left elbow scar are granted service connection, while his diabetes mellitus is denied. The Veteran's left shoulder disability receives a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tropical borreliosis was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of tropical borreliosis and that the evidence did not show a relationship to his active duty service. His claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis and type II diabetes mellitus, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions in his records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations, with all conditions being related to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus or PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide a detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by, or aggravated by, his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus type II, and rheumatoid arthritis. The cases are remanded to further develop evidence related to these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and prostate disorder, all of which are secondary to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA examinations and verifying herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a causal relationship between the Veteran’s hypertension and his military service or service-connected diabetes. For TDIU, the Veteran was also denied because his service-connected disabilities alone were not sufficient to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examination, and in-service evidence.

The Board has remanded all reopened service connection claims for accrued benefits purposes due to the need for additional records and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include cause of death, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD and depressive disorder, bowel condition, and Parkinson’s disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, a renal disability (presumably a kidney condition), an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sinusitis due to unclear service connection determinations and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure is not presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.