Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other contaminants during service in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues are remanded to allow for a respiratory VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, both diseases presumptively associated with exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal is remanded for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has not been able to determine the reason for the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification. Additionally, the AOJ must obtain his complete medical records from his time in active service, including hospitalizations due to ash and dust exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is granted. The gout claim is remanded.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, and diabetes mellitus are denied. Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the right kidney tumor.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, with the condition being in equipoise as to whether it prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related issues due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all granted due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and has been diagnosed with these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of peripheral neuropathy and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical DDD, lumbar DDD, and DM have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service travel to Da Nang, Vietnam, from September 21, 1970, to October 1, 1970, is presumed due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to obtain records from Dr. Hanley and provide a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, type II, a skin disability claimed as skin condition of the back, and atrial fibrillation claimed as ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia was reopened, and a TDIU rating is granted effective June 7, 2017. The claims for hypertension, anemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, erectile dysfunction, and right hip scar were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy, and amputation scars. The AOJ is directed to obtain updated treatment records and the December 2013 Statement of the Case for further review.