Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, all presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

Service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension is granted. Service connection for a heart disability, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange or other qualifying herbicide agents during his military service, and thus cannot grant service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from October 1, 2013 to March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of stroke have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide, chemical, radiation, or biological agents. The AOJ is instructed to request confirmation of these exposures from the Army’s Chief of the Medical Investigation Department at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his diabetes.,For kidney disability, the Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including polyneuropathy and diabetes mellitus, all claimed as secondary to hazardous environmental exposure at Fort McClellan. The VA will undertake additional development regarding potential exposures to radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, PCBs, and other toxic substances.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board also found that any relationship to service was speculative.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, vision condition (claimed as degraded vision), GERD, and dental condition (lost tooth) due to additional development being needed. The issues are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not confirmed, and further development is needed to determine if he was within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while serving on ships during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unemployable. The Board granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence following surgical treatment for service-connected coronary artery disease is dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for Merkel cell carcinoma is dismissed.,The Veteran’s appeals for service connection and increased evaluations related to hypertension, sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's attorney is denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2019 rating decision because he has already received the properly calculated attorney fees for 20 percent of the total award.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a GI disability, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for left arm fracture, left thumb fracture, left-hand scar, and diaphoresis are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to inadequate development. Additional development is required including obtaining verification of herbicide exposure during service at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and diabetes due to a lack of information on whether the U.S.S. Bennington was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating does not meet the required percentage threshold.