Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The appeal is being remanded to further develop evidence.,Service connection for a skin disability due to herbicide exposure is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, residuals of prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tremors, acquired psychiatric disorder, and skin condition due to incomplete examinations and lack of exposure information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of the Appellant's arguments regarding medical literature disputing the VA examiner’s opinion on asbestos exposure and lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and the cause of death due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for diabetes is being reopened based on new evidence, while the cause of death remains under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his diabetes required one or more daily injections of insulin and regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and left L5 radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or near the Korean DMZ where herbicides were known to have been applied.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. However, the Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy in any extremity, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a renal disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such disorder and that it is not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for gout and a gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased rating for DMII and service connection for LUE peripheral neuropathy due to lack of information on current severity and etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and exposure verification. The Veteran is requested to provide updated VA treatment records, determine if his duties placed him near the base perimeter in Thailand, verify herbicide agent exposure, and obtain appropriate medical opinions regarding hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and related erectile dysfunction are granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 40% for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection is granted for a bilateral vision disability secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that it is less likely than not related to his exposure to commercial weed killer during service. The medical evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a determination that the appellant was not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefit purposes. The matter is now being reviewed again, with further development needed to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam considering the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 18, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless or confined to his dwelling that he needs regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, as well as diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's symptoms have been consistent with her in-service experiences.