Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathies of the left and right femoral nerves have been denied.,Claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities were also denied.,Diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, while peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for skin cancer (psoriasis) is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to inadequate duty-to-assist findings. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is at issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, Churg-Strauss syndrome, esophageal cancer, multiple sclerosis, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus no presumptive service connection is warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was denied as the disability did not manifest within a year of service or be related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for diabetes and impotence have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes, as there was no evidence of regulation of activities due to diabetes management. For impotence, the appeal is denied because it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a left foot disability, diagnosed as pes planus, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis, was granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral diabetic retinopathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since August 12, 2011. The Board found that the condition requires only an oral hypoglycemic agent, restricted diet, and regulation of activities, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted.,The appeal for a prostate condition and heart condition are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ureter disorder and diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), to include as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, rhinosinusitis, and/or medication treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no current diagnosis of ureter disorder and denied the claim. For diabetes, the Board noted a current diagnosis but also found that it did not manifest within one year after service discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure and as secondary to PTSD. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's ships were within twelve nautical miles of the shore of Vietnam during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if he can establish service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as it is unclear whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam during his military service. Additional information from the U.S. Army Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) is needed.

The Veteran's GERD was found to be at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his chronic use of NSAIDs for service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,His diabetes mellitus was also found to be at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the weight gain resulting from his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially to his cause of death. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied as the claim was not filed within one year of the Veteran's death.