Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as it may be related to his diabetes.

Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.,The cause of the Veteran's death, listed as Lewy body dementia on his death certificate, may be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left shoulder with retained foreign bodies, but has remanded the case to obtain additional medical examination regarding degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's type I diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) combine to render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced for and against this claim due to significant diabetic-related and psychiatric impairment.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, but denied any increase in ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, the issue of erectile dysfunction remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and a TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service. The Veteran was not found to have set foot in Vietnam or Thailand where such exposure would be presumed.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no nexus between the Veteran's cause of death and his service-connected conditions. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the Veteran's cause of death was due to end stage liver disease.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy, including as due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, left and right leg amputations above the knee as secondary to diabetes, and chronic back pain due to incomplete development of his service treatment records and personnel records.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a lipoma is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its related peripheral neuropathies as well as high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea, all of which were claimed to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any eye disabilities, including those related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s hypertension was proximately due to or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death. The Board found that there is no evidence linking pancreatic or rectal cancer to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service at Korat Air Force base.