Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides in Laos and missing military personnel records from his service at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for this grant is June 29, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, but granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM). The Veteran's left knee disorder is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand. His DM is presumed due to herbicide exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current left knee condition to service, but granted service connection for DM based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his non-service-connected physical conditions require care or assistance on a regular basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction before the Board could make a decision. The appeal is dismissed as both issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the Veteran's statements were inconsistent with the contemporaneous evidence. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus and for an effective date prior to July 2, 2012, for total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The claims are now moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The issues of service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed before a final determination can be made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The claim for an effective date prior to August 11, 2017, for the grant of service connection for diabetes is also denied.

The Board has vacated its decision granting service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The case is remanded for further review and possible VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure are granted.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right and left lower and upper extremity neuropathy, vision impairment, kidney disorder, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,Service connection was denied as there was no showing that any of these conditions began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, but has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to unclear evidence and need for further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability. The Board will request an appropriate VA examination to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected renal carcinoma. The erectile dysfunction is also being remanded for a determination on its relationship to his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, but remanded the claims for skin cancer, hypertension (to include as due to PTSD), and residuals of a stroke.,Service connection is being remanded for skin cancer, hypertension (to include as due to PTSD), and residuals of a stroke.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and depression. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, TBI, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The effective dates for service connection have also not been established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM), type II is being remanded due to the need for a compensation examination.