Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and updated SSA records.

The Board denied service connection for cerebrovascular atherosclerosis as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that the opinions provided were inadequate and requiring a new VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam as well as whether it is aggravated by his diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypersomnia, and poor circulation of the bilateral hands and feet. The remand includes requests for addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeals for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as due to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, skin disability, and dental disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's renal disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for sleep apnea is denied due to lack of diagnosis during active duty and no subsequent medical records showing the condition until decades after separation. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to hypertension, but hearing loss and PTSD claims are not reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service onset or a causal link to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, a psychiatric disorder (vascular dementia), and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred during service.,Service connection for Bipolar disorder is denied because the condition did not start in service and is not linked to any other conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claims of entitlement to service connection for pes planus, frostbite of the feet, back pain, diabetes, poor vision, a right knee condition, and frostbite of the hands. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied both DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened and is now pending as the Veteran provided new evidence suggesting he served in Vietnam.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been caused by his service in Vietnam based on his reported exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 22, 2008 for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus. The decision found that no informal or formal claims were filed before this date and that the earliest effective date was April 14, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, as the evidence did not show a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe back pain and heart condition, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) and Parkinson’s disease are granted as due to herbicide agent exposure for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded, as the evidence is unclear if he had diabetes mellitus, type II prior to death. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine this.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is also remanded and a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if it was related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, chloracne, heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, all claimed as a result of herbicide agent exposure. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent and his diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral artery disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed.