Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new VA opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, heart disability, chronic kidney disease/renal insufficiency, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and loss of use of a creative organ. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show it to be more than mild or moderate in severity.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to liver failure, which was caused by diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II had its onset during his service and led to his fatal chronic liver rejection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DMII, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and stroke residuals due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's unit history needs to be verified through the JSRRC.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hand skin disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to unresolved medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit due to a preponderance of evidence showing his condition was related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.,Her claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied chest pain claim has been granted, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), loss of teeth as a result of Camp Lejeune exposure, type II diabetes mellitus as a result of Camp Lejeune exposure, and a headache disorder. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is conceded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it did not require regulation of activities to control. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with related conditions is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and its related complications due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claim is based on his assertion of herbicide exposure at Fort McClellan in Allison, Alabama from March 7, 1977, to May 5, 1977.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and hemorrhoids due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical evidence and because of the need to determine if the USS Tolovana was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam while he served aboard. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's spouse is not entitled to additional compensation for the period from July 6, 2014 through August 1, 2014 due to an error in awarding dependency benefits. The correct effective date for payment of dependency benefits is August 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and requires further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. Tinnitus is also granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a renal condition and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending as the Veteran has not been examined regarding these conditions. Bilateral SNHL's service connection is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since November 23, 2007.,Beginning June 1, 2008, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for further development, including verification of exposure and medical opinions.